A sweeping transformation is on the horizon for Loblaw grocery stores across Canada. While many locations already offer more than just groceries — including pharmacies and Joe Fresh clothing — shoppers will soon notice a new addition focused on eye care.
Specsavers Canada Inc. and Loblaw Companies Limited have announced a partnership that will introduce 111 new Specsavers clinics inside Loblaw stores across the country. These new locations will replace the existing Theodore & Pringle optical brand, which will cease operations. Theodore & Pringle was previously located in select stores throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
This major expansion marks Specsavers’ entry into five new provinces — New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan — as well as the Yukon Territory. Once complete, Specsavers will have over 260 locations operating nationwide.
Bill Moir, managing director of Specsavers Canada, called the move a “pivotal moment for eye care accessibility in Canada,” noting that it will fundamentally improve how Canadians access comprehensive vision services. Each Specsavers location will offer eye exams, prescription eyewear, contact lenses, and specialized eye care services, all staffed by qualified independent optometrists and opticians.
Irene Doody, head of optical at Loblaw, said the transition will uphold the original goal of Theodore & Pringle — making vision care affordable and accessible. “Specsavers’ reputation for accessible eye care aligns perfectly with our purpose – to help Canadians live life well,” she said.
The rollout begins in September 2025, with additional openings scheduled through the end of the year. Specsavers, founded over 40 years ago in the UK by husband-and-wife optometrists Doug and Mary Perkins, has grown to more than 2,700 locations worldwide since entering the Canadian market in late 2021.