ultations. Founded in 1997 as a small shop in Clementi, Spectacle Hut currently operates 34 outlets in Singapore.  Inside Retail sat down with André Kitshoff, managing director of EssilorLuxottica Retail in Southeast Asia and South Africa, to learn more about the brand’s journey and the future of the eyewear industry.  Inside Retail: What were the key milestones in Spectacle Hut’s 30-year journey from a single store to becoming one of Singapore’s largest optical chains? André Kitshoff: The latest flagship store at The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands marks a major milestone in our vision since 2019 to elevate the optical industry and deliver world-class eyecare standards to Singapore consumers. This vision has been realised through newly opened, remodelled or relocated retail spaces to deliver a premium shopping experience, the introduction of innovative store features like a digital shopping catalogue, and the expansion of a diverse assortment of luxury and high-end eyewear brands. Core to the transformation is our commitment to providing comprehensive vision care services with state-of-the-art instruments and advanced lens technologies, key to Spectacle Hut’s brand promise. The latest flagship store at The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands, stands as a testament to this commitment. IR: How has being part of the EssilorLuxottica Group influenced Spectacle Hut’s business strategy and market position? AK: As [EssilorLuxottica Group] continues to innovate, Spectacle Hut will gain access to world-class expertise, and innovative lens and frames technologies backed by decades of R&D, a broad network of premium eyewear brands and even smart eyewear of the future to enhance our product offerings. Spectacle Hut continually invests in the latest optical instruments to ensure our optometrists are able to detect more eye pathologies than a standard eye examination. With our team of trained optometrists adopting the best practices in vision care, we maintain our commitment towards the highest standards in both product quality and service delivery. One of the competitive advantages underpinning Spectacle Hut’s successful transformation is our vertically integrated business model. Our ability to oversee the entire value chain from creative design to go-to-market, provides us with unique insights to stay ahead of consumer trends and behaviours which encourages innovation. Optometrists looking to further their professional journey are also offered a diverse range of experiences to ensure their continued professional success. Whether they want to be a clinical optometrist or business leader, the opportunities with the group are endless. EssilorLuxottica Group has also strengthened our ability to scale our retail network and expand our presence in the competitive Singaporean optical market, positioning Spectacle Hut as a trusted leader in eyewear retail and vision care. IR: What emerging eyecare technologies are you considering for future implementation? AK: Our current diagnostic instruments go beyond the standard prescription check, enabling us to assess eye health by capturing images of the front and back of the eye and screening for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, dry eyes, and eye strain. In addition, we offer some of the most innovative ophthalmic lens technologies including Varilux XR, Crizal, Essilor Stellest lenses for myopia management and Transitions photochromatic range. These products are backed by decades of clinical research, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and performance. Looking ahead, we are planning to expand our myopia management program for younger patients to more store locations. This program responds to the growing demand from parents seeking active solutions to slow the progression of myopia in children. By offering tailored programs we aim to improve the quality of life for young patients and help them reach their full potential. IR: What expansion plans do you have for the Southeast Asian market? AK: Spectacle Hut has opened 11 new, remodelled or relocated stores in Singapore in the past two years to serve patients across every part of the country. Our focus remains on strengthening our presence in Singapore.  IR:  How do you see the optical industry evolving in the next five years? AK: We expect the next five years will see further digitalisation of the eyecare industry, more sustainable practices and myopia control in response to growing myopia rates across Southeast Asia. We anticipate a shift towards digital integration in the optical space with AI, augmented reality (AR), virtual try-ons becoming more widespread to offer consumers a highly tailored and seamless experience. Personalisation will also continue to be a major trend, with customised frames, tailored lenses, eyewear cases reflecting their individual style and needs alongside a more personalised shopping experience becoming the norm, empowering consumers to create eyewear that truly suits their lifestyle.  Additionally, the optical industry will increasingly prioritise sustainability to meet growing consumer demand for eco-friendly materials alongside a rise in brands promoting circularity, offering repair and recycling services. The demand for smart eyewear will also grow as consumers increasingly seek functional, high-tech solutions, such as AR glasses, and eyewear that integrates seamlessly with their digital lives. Through key partnerships, like Ray-Ban and Meta today, we are seeing the future of wearable smart technology. Eyewear will be the gateway into the metaverse and a world of possibilities with a simple pair of good-looking glasses with a tech heart inside, without compromising on style, comfort or aesthetic. Lastly, as myopia continues to impact more children, the focus will shift from simple vision correction to active myopia control. Specialised treatments, such as myopia control contact lenses and spectacles, will become more prevalent, as parents increasingly recognise the importance of early intervention to slow myopia progression. Without broader adoption of these optical solutions, we are likely to see a rise in high myopia cases, which can lead to serious complications like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and other eye conditions that are costly and difficult to treat. Lenses like the Essilor Stellest myopia management spectacle lenses are already demonstrating their potential, with clinical data supporting their effectiveness in slowing myopia progression. A five-year clinical study of Stellest lenses has shown a reduction of nearly one and three-quarter diopters of myopia, reinforcing the critical role of early invention in myopia management. IR: How are you preparing to adapt to changing consumer preferences in luxury eyewear? AK: We have made significant investments in digital innovation within our stores. SmartShopper, a digital shopping catalogue enables customers to access an expansive selection of eyewear beyond what is physically available in-store. This allows us to offer a nearly limitless collection of luxury eyewear, ensuring our customers have access to the most exclusive styles and brands from around the world, right at their fingertips. We’ve also integrated augmented reality augmented reality (AR) for virtual try-ons in-store to allow customers to try on frames from our digital catalogue. Additionally, the ability to personalise and customise eyewear offers shoppers more than 14 million possible unique combinations in frame design, colour, and fit, to create eyewear that is truly one-of-a-kind. Whether through customising the frame or etching a name on the lens or eyewear case, our customers can tailor every detail to reflect their personal style. IR: What impact do you expect AI and wearable technology to have on the optical industry? AK: As AI continues to evolve, we expect further advancements in lens technologies and wearable eyewear that will not only improve vision but also integrate seamlessly into daily life. Eyewear will be the gateway into a world of possibilities! For instance, eyewear with embedded advanced hearing technology like Nuance Audio, which brings sight and sound together. Nuance Audio seamlessly embeds proprietary advanced hearing technology into a pair of eyeglasses that improve vision, and will enhance the quality of life for consumers with hearing loss. Other new categories that have emerged in the past two years to meet the demand is Varilux XR series, the first eye-responsive progressive lens designed for those over 40 with presbyopia. Using artificial intelligence (AI), these lenses provide instant sharpness in motion and a seamless transition between near and far vision, adapting in real time. Eye care professionals will be able to better address the personalized vision needs of presbyopes, as AI has allowed us to predict the needs of the person using them more effectively than ever before. IR: How are you positioning Spectacle Hut to compete with both traditional optical retailers and emerging digital platforms? Over the past few years, we’ve shifted focus from fast-fashion eyewear to providing comprehensive, high-quality eye care services and products, including cutting-edge instruments and advanced lens technologies. We will continue to expand our presence across Singapore by opening, remodelling, or relocating stores to ensure access and the highest standards of service. Our product range will also grow, offering a diverse selection that spans from premium lenses to affordable and luxury eyewear, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences. In addition, we are investing in the ongoing training of our optometrists to stay ahead of the latest advancements in eye care and technology, ensuring we provide the best possible vision care to every customer who walks through our doors. This commitment to quality, service, and innovation will differentiate us in the competitive optical landscape. Further reading: EssilorLuxottica acquires Supreme from VF: attractive deal or risky move?