KUALA LUMPUR: Carl Zeiss Vision, the German global leader in optics and optoelectronics, targets to open 10 stores in Malaysia within the next five years.
Investments could be in the range of between RM800,000 and RM1.5 million per store, depending on the size and location.
Malaysia is the second market in the region for the branded Carl Zeiss after Indonesia.
There are currently two centres located at Pavilion Elite and DC Mall, both owned by Eyez Optometry (M) Sdn Bhd.
The third one will likely be in Johor Baru.
Zeiss Southeast Asia managing director Ven Raman described Malaysia as an important market with strong growth potential, driven by innovative new products and high demand for branded lenses.
"Digital devices and the high rate of usage across all age groups and segments affect eye health,” he said at a media briefing after the official opening of Zeiss Vision Center at Pavilion yesterday.
Also present was German ambassador Nikolaus Count Lambsdorff and the general manager of Malaysian-Germany Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Digital customers in Malaysia spend an average of almost 14 hours a day on digital devices, which leads to rising demand for vision care products.
Singapore will also be on the cards, he said, adding that the industry has also been undergoing changes as the optical trade reinvents itself against the threats of online retail business as well as low-cost high-volume standard lenses.
Stores now want to step up in terms of quality, he added.
Some of the new technologically-advanced lens include Zeiss DriveSafe Lenses, Zeiss Digital Lenses and Zeiss DuraVision Blue Protect Lenses.
In conjunction with the official opening, the company announced the sponsorship of eye examination and eyewear worth RM50,000 for underprivileged children from charitable homes in the Klang Valley.
Meanwhile the investment climate in Malaysia remains conducive to draw German investors, said Lambsdorff.
As spinoff, exports will improve while job opportunities will increase for Malaysians.
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