ALAIN AFFLELOU receives the Foreign Franchise Award in Spain for his solid track record and optical revolution.

 

La Spanish Franchise Association (AEF) awarded this recognition to the company during its awards ceremony National & European Franchise Awards 2024This award underlines the successful career of ALAIN AFFLELOU in the Spanish market during the last two decades, marked by an expansion strategy focused on the excess and a transformative vision of the optical sector.

 

The arrival of ALAIN AFFLELOU in Spain in 2004, after the acquisition of 68 opticians Carrefour, marked a turning point in the way Spaniards viewed eye care. In these 20 years, the company has experienced exponential growth, consolidating Spain as its second most important market globally, surpassed only by FranceCurrently, ALAIN AFFLELOU has a robust network of 370 opticians and nearly 200 audiology centers across the country, tripling the number of its specialized hearing centers in the last three years.

 

The strength of the franchise model has been a fundamental pillar of ALAIN AFFLELOU's success in Spain. Of the 370 operating opticians, 291 operate under the franchise system, while 79 are company-owned. In the audiology field, the brand has 195 locations, 12 of which are dedicated exclusively to hearing health.

 

Eva IvarsThe CEO of ALAIN AFFLELOU in Spain, who accepted the award on behalf of the company, highlighted the crucial role of franchising in its growth: “From the beginning, we have given franchising a prominent role, creating an effective master plan for each business to thrive. We have always offered the strength of a brand with over 50 years of experience and constant support. This is how we have become the leading optical franchisor in Spain, as we give opticians and audiologists the opportunity to own their own businesses.” This strategy has driven remarkable growth in the last fiscal year, with a 7,2% increase in sales and a turnover reaching €151,4 million.

 

This award further consolidates ALAIN AFFLELOU's position as a benchmark in the Spanish and European markets.

 

ALAIN AFFLELOU's history in the Spanish market began in 2003 with the strategic acquisition of Carrefour opticians, which became ALAIN AFFLELOU stores the following year. This transaction marked the beginning of a new era in which the brand aimed to make eyewear an accessible right for all, breaking with the perception that it was a luxury item. From then on, the company implemented an ambitious expansion strategy based on franchising, supporting entrepreneurship and reaching Spanish consumers with an innovative and high-quality offering.

 

In his statements after receiving the award, Eva Ivars He expressed the honor this recognition represents: “For the company, it is an honor to receive this award in recognition of all the work done since the brand arrived in our country. We have simply followed the legacy of Alain Afflelou"A visionary who transformed a very traditional sector through multi-ownership and fair pricing, with impeccable, professional, and personal service. His arrival was a revolution for the optical industry in this country."

 

One of the keys to ALAIN AFFLELOU's success in Spain has been the introduction of innovative sales offers, already successfully tested in the French market. The most emblematic of these is the «Tchin Tchin", which allows you to purchase a second pair of glasses for just one euro more. This was followed by other attractive offers for Spanish consumers, such as "Next Year," an interest-free and commission-free installment payment plan, and the option to try contact lenses without obligation. In recent years, the company has applied this same philosophy to the audiology sector, with the aim of demystifying, modernizing, and democratizing an essential service that, in some ways, was perceived as inaccessible."

 

ALAIN AFFLELOU has firmly committed to the franchise model as a way to promote entrepreneurship, establishing relationships of trust and offering continuous support to its franchisees at every stage of the process. "We like to put people at the heart of everything, because their success is our success, and we help them from the beginning to minimize risks, supporting them every step of the way," stated Ivars. In this regard, the company has implemented thePlan Ahead"An initiative designed to facilitate the opening of optical and audiology centers under the umbrella of a leading brand in the sector. This plan offers benefits such as the elimination of barriers to accessing financing and the reduction of initial risks. Furthermore, ALAIN AFFLELOU stands out for its commitment to equal opportunities, actively promoting entrepreneurship and female leadership within its network."

 

La Innovation is another fundamental pillar of AlAIN Afflelou's strategy.The company constantly invests in the most advanced technologies to drive digital transformation and improve the customer experience. Artificial intelligence is applied to internal processes, such as personnel selection, through virtual assistants that streamline and optimize hiring. Furthermore, ALAIN AFFLELOU stands out for the development of innovative products that have made a difference in the market, such as the popular MAGIC glasses with interchangeable clips.

 

Committed to sustainability in all its operations, ALAIN AFFLELOU also actively participates in research and development projects. One example of this is the «EYE Project«, developed in collaboration with the Complutense University of Madrid, which seeks advanced solutions to improve visual health.

 

The 2024 National Foreign Franchise Award in Spain, awarded to ALAIN AFFLELOU, not only recognizes his successful career and impact on the Spanish optical sector, but also his firm commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship through franchising, and the continuous improvement of the customer experience.