“A good idea, for it to exist, you have to make it known”

More than 50 years after its creation, the Afflelou group remains the French leader in optical franchising. And continues to expand in nearly 20 countries.

In 2022, a page has turned within the Afflelou group. Anthony, the son, took over from the founder, the famous Alain Afflelou, as CEO. Created in 1972 under the name Optica, with initially a single store in Gironde, in Bouscat, a town on the outskirts of Bordeaux, the brand now has 1,500 stores. And continues to open 40 to 50 stores per year.

Present in France of course, the company is also present in 18 foreign countries, such as Spain, the second largest market after France. Very quickly, in the 70s, the brand developed with the opening of stores in Bordeaux, and became the emblem of discount in the optical sector. This will attract customers and investors, hence the idea of ​​opening franchise stores.

Afflelou and his communication

Alain Afflelou also innovates through his communication by featuring himself in television advertisements. With slogans that everyone remembers, like “He’s crazy Afflelou, he’s crazy.” And offers that everyone remembers, like “Tchin Tchin” in 1999: one pair of glasses bought, one free.

Two million pairs of glasses sold each year

The brand mainly produces its approximately two million pairs of glasses sold per year in China, for cost reasons. A small part is made in France, and the group is considering increasing this production made in France in the coming years.