Our History
Our 38 year history is filled with memorable milestones and noteworthy highlights.
Founded in 1986 in Québec City, New Look Vision Group has steadily grown into Canada’s largest optical retailer. The company’s success is built on a strategic expansion plan launched in 2012, which included acquiring leading brands like Vogue Optical (2013), Greiche & Scaff (2014), IRIS (2017), Edward Beiner (2019), Morgenthal Fredericks and Robert Marc (2021). These acquisitions expanded New Look’s footprint to 490 locations nationwide, building its leadership in the North American market.
New Look’s focus on eyecare, luxury eyewear, innovative technologies, and omnichannel strategies has positioned it as a dominant player in the industry. With its well-established market presence, strong financial track record, and commitment to innovation, New Look Vision Group is a compelling investment opportunity in the optical retail sector.
38 years in business A look back at the past. Scroll through our highlights:
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1986
The Beginning
New Look Eyewear was founded in Québec City by optician Guy Rouleau.
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2001
Acquisition
Benvest Capital Inc., acquires New Look Eyewear, sparking a period of rapid expansion.
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2002
State-of-the-art Manufacturing
Opens a state-of-the-art lens manufacturing lab and prototype megastore in Laval, Québec.
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2003
Public offering
Goes public, consolidating results under Benvest Capital Inc.
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2005
Transition
Transitions to the Benvest New Look Income Fund, starting regular shareholder distributions.
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2006
Expansion
Introduces Hydro Satin treatment technology and expands to 52 locations.
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2007
Technology Advancements
Launches Evolution HD and Ultra Evolution™ lenses with cutting-edge “free form” digital technology.
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2010
The TSX
Transforms into a publicly traded corporation on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and begins issuing quarterly dividends.
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2011
Revenue Milestones
Achieves over $80M in revenue with 68 stores in Québec and Ottawa.
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2012
Strategic Plan
Acquires key real estate assets in Ville Saint-Laurent to support future expansion.
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2013
Canadian Expansion
Begins its pan-Canadian expansion with the acquisition of Vogue Optical’s 65 stores. Issues new shares to fuel growth.
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2014
Revenue climbs
Acquires Greiche & Scaff, adding 49 stores in Montréal. Closes the year with 193 locations.
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2015
Rebranding and New Leadership
Rebrands as New Look Vision Group, reflecting its growth into a management powerhouse.
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2016
Store Counts Rise
Acquires Forward Vision Group and Visions Optical for increasing its store count to 220.
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2017
More Expansion
Acquires IRIS expanding its network by 147 locations across Canada.
Secures new equity, solidifying its position with 379 locations.
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2018
Infrastructure Optimization
Focuses on integrating past acquisitions and optimizing infrastructure, leading to record-high sales and EBITDA, up 27% and 28.5% year-over-year.
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2019
Omnichannel Successes
Invests in proprietary face scanning and bespoke manufacturing technologies with San Francisco-based Topology as part of its omnichannel strategy.
Ville Saint-Laurent lab becomes Canada’s top optical distribution hub.
Records strong financial growth, with annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA rising 22% and 23% since 2013.
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2020
A Time for Luxury
Solidifies its position as a luxury eyewear leader across Canada with 13 key locations in Québec City, Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Completes the acquisition of Miami-based Edward Beiner, adding 12 high-end stores in Florida. -
2021
Return to Private Ownership and further expansion in the US
New Look Vision Group transitions back to private ownership, selling a majority stake to FFL Partners and CDPQ.
Completes the acquisition of New York based Morgenthal Fredericks and Robert Marc, adding high-end stores across the United States.
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2023
Globe & Mail – Top Growing Companies
The Report on Business ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies ranks qualifying independent Canadian companies by the percentage of their revenue growth over three years.
Category: Top Growing Companies
Status: WON in 2023
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2023
Les Affaires Top 300 Awards
The Les Affaires Top 300 Awards annually rank Quebec’s 300 most significant SMEs. The ranking is based on various metrics such as growth, innovation, and leadership. It provides insights into the challenges, strategies, and achievements of these businesses, emphasizing their role in driving the Quebec economy.
Category: Business Leadership
Status: WON in 2022 & 2023
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2023
Deloitte – Canada’s Best Managed Companies
Canada’s Best Managed Companies is Canada’s leading business awards program, recognizing excellence in private Canadian-owned companies. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies undergo a rigorous application process, but only the best are awarded this prestigious designation.
Category: Best Managed Companies
Status: WON in 2022 & 2023
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2023
Les Affaires: Chapeau les PDG
Recognizing exceptional CEOs has long been a tradition at Les Affaires. For the third year, Les Affaires is opening its competition by inviting applications.
Category: Exceptional CEOs
Status: WON in 2021
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2023
#EBGameChangers
The #EBGameChanger Awards recognize 10 highly respected optometrists and opticians who delivered support, guidance, and vision to transform the eyecare industry for the better.
Category: Eyecare Innovation
Status: WON in 2021
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2024
Retail Council of Canada – Excellence in Retailing Awards
These awards recognize outstanding innovation in various categories, including eCommerce Experience, Environmental Leadership, Health, Safety & Wellness, In-Store Experience & Design, Loss Prevention, Retail Marketing, and Talent Development.
Category: Retail Excellence
Status: WON in 2023
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2024/2025
Les Mercuriades
Quebec’s top business awards celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and performance across various categories, including economic development and international growth.
Category: Business Excellence
Status: WON in 2021
