Magrabi Retail has agreed to acquire Dubai Optical in a deal that will add 15 stores across four emirates, underscoring growing consolidation in the region's optical retail market as operators seek scale and wider reach.

The transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approvals including merger control clearance from the UAE Ministry of Economy, highlights ongoing consolidation in the region's optical retail sector as companies pursue growth through acquisitions and larger store networks.

Founded in 1978, Dubai Optical was among the pioneers of the UAE's organised optical retail market. The company operates 19 stores under the Dubai Optical and Optivision brands across Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ajman. Under the agreement, Magrabi Retail will acquire the 15 stores operating under the Dubai Optical brand.

Following completion of the deal, Dubai Optical will be integrated into Magrabi Retail while maintaining its heritage and brand legacy. The retailer said the acquisition is expected to create operational and commercial benefits through access to Magrabi's international supplier agreements, retail expertise and vision care standards.

"Dubai Optical is an exceptional fit for Magrabi Retail," said Yasser Taher, chief executive of Magrabi Retail. "It is a trusted brand with a longstanding heritage, a strong premium positioning and an established presence in many of the UAE's most important retail destinations."

Taher said the company's acquisition strategy focuses on investing in established local brands rather than simply increasing scale.

"Our strategy is not simply about adding scale. It is about investing in strong local businesses with distinctive identities and giving them the capabilities, resources, and platform to achieve their next phase of growth," he said.

For Dubai Optical's owners, the agreement marks the next stage in the development of a business built over nearly five decades.

(Source: Khaleej Times)