KENYA – Optica, an eye-wear dealer has opened its first shop in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado, bringing its branch count to 37 as the dealer focuses on expansion, reports Business Daily.

The new shop is located at the Bata Building, opposite Tuskys Main Supermarket along Magadi Road in Ongata Rongai.

Head of retail Wazeem Mohamed said the shop would help Optica’s qualified optometrist to offer correct eye diagnosis and advise to customers.

“It is unfortunate that today we have many optical shops operating in this region but without a qualified optometrist. Our effort is to extend more options to the public to receive proper eyecare services,” he said during the launch.

The family-owned business was started 60 years ago by current non-executive chairman Bharat Bhardwaj, and has progressively grown into a reputable brand in the Kenya.

Today, the dealer offers all major ophthalmic lens brands and stocks different frames with some retailing for as little as Sh890.

This year alone, Optica has opened branches in Machakos, Kiambu and Nairobi at the Westgate Mall. Last year, it opened branches in Eldoret, Meru, and Thika with a target of growing its customer base in Western Kenya and Central regions respectively.

Nine years ago, Optica ventured into making its own eyewear, launching a brand called Oxygene in the local market while continuing to stock international brands.

Optica has 37 branches (16 in Nairobi) spread across the country and a team of over 500 employees. Every year, the business sells more than 10,000 units of spectacles.

Kush Bhardwaj, Optica’s managing director and Bharat’s son had hoped that by 2019 they would have opened 60 outlets across the country as they celebrate 60 years.

During its formative years, the bulk of clients were the well-to-do in society — mostly government officials and businesspeople who had knowledge of eyesight problems, the options available to them and the money to acquire them.

Optica Limited deals in services such as eye care and eye wearit also offers products such as Contact lenses, Ophthalmic lenses, Optical frames and sunglasses