Optical retailer Specsavers is to double the number of stores it operates in New Zealand from 30 to 60.

On the anniversary of its first 12 months of operation in the country, the retailer said revenue forecasts have been revised upwards by more than 50% to $50m (£30.5m).

The first Specsavers stores opened in Takapuna and Albany in November 2008 and the retailer has invested $20m (£12.2m) in its retail roll-out to date.

Specsavers founder Doug Perkins said: “I’ve never seen initial demand like we’ve witnessed in New Zealand. I put our extraordinary growth down to the abuse of price and affordability on a scale beyond my experience.”