David Clulow rebrands chain in expansion drive

Optician chain David Clulow has rebranded its operation as part of a major expansion programme designed to double its number of stores within three years.

Parent company the Optika Group, which bought David Clulow out of receivership in 1992, is planning to open a further 40 stores to add to its 44 outlets.

They will operate under a newly designed David Clulow logo and their interiors will be redesigned.

The company aims to open several franchised outlets under the Optika name, which will be separate to its David Clulow chain, from September this year.

Optika Group operations director Ayis Virides says: “Since we bought David Clulow we have been trying to decide whether to use just the David Clulow name or both Optika and David Clulow. This is our decision.”

Virides says the two divisions will now effectively operate as the managed and franchised subsidiaries of the Optika Group.

The new openings will be accompanied by regional press advertising. An agency has yet to be appointed to handle the forthcoming work.

The fashion-led chain was founded by David Clulow with a single practice in Earls Court, London, in 1964.

The practice built a reputation for quality and attracted a celebrity client list, but hit problems during the last recession.