When Doug and Mary Perkins founded Specsavers in 1984, they set out to make quality eyecare more affordable and accessible. More than four decades later, the company has grown into a global network spanning 10 countries and serving millions of customers annually.

Yet when the founders looked to Canada as their next major market in 2021, the decision wasn’t simply about expansion. They saw a country whose values aligned with their own and an opportunity to improve access to eyecare for Canadians. Five years later, Specsavers has grown from 16 locations in British Columbia to more than 270 stores across the country, serving more than one million Canadians and positioning itself for its next phase of growth under managing director, Jane Hoban.

For Doug and Mary Perkins, Canada stood out because of its people and its approach to community.

The right market at the right time 

“While on holiday in Canada, I visited dozens of optical outlets across the country and gained valuable insight into how a range of eyecare professionals operate,” said Mary Perkins. “It is particularly encouraging to see systems where optometrists and opticians are working closely side by side—Canada certainly stood out in this regard.” 

The company arrived in Canada during an uncertain economic period with the COVID pandemic in full swing. Yet, the founders viewed this challenging environment as a moment to double down on customer value and service.

“Specsavers have always done well in challenging times,” says Doug Perkins. “Working with great support teams and, of course, optometrist and retail partners in the store, we can always come together with extra care and value for customers.”

That approach appears to have resonated. Looking back, the founders point to a simple formula behind the company’s rapid growth.

“Great professional service coupled with great value, there is no substitute.”

Closing the access gap 

The growth story arrives at a time when access to eyecare remains a significant issue in Canada. According to the Canada Eyecare Report 2025, one in three Canadian adults is overdue for (or has never had) an eye exam. Cost remains the largest barrier, with more than half of Canadians saying the expense of an eye exam is a concern.

Specsavers believes its business model can help address that gap.

Unlike traditional retail models, the company operates through a partnership structure in which retail and optometry partners have ownership stakes in their locations. Independent optometrists provide care from clinics (of which they are 100% owners) operating within Specsavers locations, while store partners share the success of the business as genuine co-owners.

“This is a business built on the belief that access to affordable, quality eyecare is a right, not a privilege,” says Hoban. “You feel it in the partnership model and in the relationships between partners and their communities.

For Hoban, who stepped into the Canadian leadership role earlier this year following more than seven years with Specsavers in the Australia and New Zealand market, the company’s culture has been one of the most striking aspects of the market.

“I was impressed by the strong sense of pride and passion our people bring to their work every day,” she says. “Being recognized this year as one of Canada’s Best Workplaces™ is a testament to the incredible culture that has been built here and a strong foundation as we continue to grow and bring quality, accessible eyecare to more Canadians.”

That growth remains closely tied to the company’s broader purpose: changing lives through better sight. Every Specsavers location in Canada is equipped with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology, an advanced 3D eye scan which helps optometrists detect eye conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease at earlier stages. 

As the company expands, Hoban says success will be measured by more than store count.

“We believe eyewear and eyecare should be affordable and accessible to all Canadians,” she says. “Success in Canada means helping more Canadians affordably access the care they need to support their vision health. It’s supporting our communities by giving back and removing barriers to eyecare.”

Canada’s place is on a global scale

The Canadian operation is also becoming increasingly important within the company’s global network, the business now sits among a group of leading markets helping shape the future of optometry and enhanced eyecare.

“Every week these countries share great ideas in advancing optometry and optics: from Australia to the U.K., and now Canada,” says Mary Perkins. “We are a global partnership.”

Five years after arriving in Canada, Specsavers is no longer simply expanding its footprint. It is positioning itself as a long-term participant in the country’s healthcare and business landscape, one built on partnerships, accessibility and a belief that better sight should be within reach for everyone.

“Canada has grown quicker than maybe we imagined – and exceeded all expectations. That’s down to enthusiasm, hard work, and a shared vision for what eyecare can be for Canadians.”

To learn more or find a location, visit specsavers.ca.