GrandVision B.V. is the result of a merger between two great names in the optical world, Pearle Europe B.V. and GrandVision S.A.

Pearle Europe B.V. started in November 1996 with the acquisition of Pearle Netherlands from US-based Pearle Vision Inc. By acquiring strong local retailers, the Pearle Europe Group has entered new markets almost every year since. This expansion has included countries in Latin America and Asia.

GrandVision was started in France in 1989 with the creation of a new brand called GrandOptical. In the early 1990s, GrandVision introduced new brands. This was followed by periods of strong international expansion.

As per 1 January 2011, the activities of GrandVision S.A. and Pearle Europe B.V. were combined under a new common parent company, GrandVision B.V.

During 2010 GrandVision acquired HAL’s 81% interest in the Russian Optical retailer Lensmaster (84 stores by the end of 2010), acquired a 25% interest in the Mexican optical retail chain Grupo Óptico Lux (69 stores) and a 100% interest in Tide Ti, a Mexican sunglass and optical retailer (57 stores).

In February 2011 GrandVision acquired the Columbian optical retailer LAFAM (38 stores) and in April 2011 GrandVision increased its participation to 100% in GrandVision Marinopoulos which operates 11 stores in Greece and Cyprus.

HAL has had an ownership interest in optical retail since 1996.