Specsavers quits Belgium after less than a year

British eyewear discounter Specsavers has announced its departure from Belgium, closing its three stores at the end of the month. The chain’s Belgian adventure did not even last a year.

Ten months

Specsavers had only opened its first Belgian store in November 2022, but quite unexpectedly its Belgian adventure is already over.

“We regret to inform you that your local Specsavers shops will close on 31 August at 6pm. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause”, Specsavers posted on its Belgian website. The message continues to say that the chain is no longer accepting new customers. Existing customers waiting for products or services will still be served, however.

Stores two and three – all in the Antwerp region – followed soon, but that is where the Belgian expansion peaked. Despite the weight of 2,500 shops in eleven countries behind it, Specsavers apparently was unable to convince the Belgian customer.