Our history

The first Visilab store opened in Geneva in 1988, and it was an immediate success. Since then, the company has continued to expand its activities. Today, Visilab has more than 75 shops throughout the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland.

In 2007, Visilab entered into a partnership with the leading optical retail group GrandVision, whose motto is “Eye care, we care more”. This partnership has been strengthened since 2017.

Since 2021, the partnership has extended to the EssilorLuxottica group, formed as a result of the merger between the Italian eyewear manufacturer Luxottica and the French optical lens giant Essilor. The merger with the world leader in optics has allowed Visilab to benefit from state-of-the-art expertise and to perpetuate the brand’s distinctive high-tech standards. 

1988 : establishment of Visilab and opening of the first store in Geneva.

1990 : opening of the first Visilab stores outside Geneva, in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Sion.

1994 : leader in French-speaking part of Switzerland with 12 stores. Opening of the first Visilab store in Zurich and initial expansion into German-speaking part of Switzerland.

2007 : Visilab became the number one optical retailer in Switzerland, with 70 stores throughout the country.

2009-2015 : creation of the Visilab At Work department: opticians at the service of companies. Online sales of contact lenses and care products.

Creation of the Visilab At Home department: opticians at home.

2017 : strengthening of the partnership with GrandVision. Online sales of prescription glasses.

2018 : Visilab celebrated its 30th anniversary and launched a partnership with SNAB (Swiss National Association of and for the Blind).

2021 : VisilabGroup became part of EssilorLuxottica, the world’s leading optical company, which combines expertise in lens design and eyewear manufacturing with a portfolio of popular brands and an international distribution network.

Opening of a Hearing service in Visilab stores in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.