Now Optics Expands National Footprint with 40 New Stores and Staples Partnership
Now Optics, one of America's fastest-growing vision care companies, plans significant expansion through new store openings and innovative partnerships while leveraging telehealth technology to make eye care more accessible nationwide.
Now Optics, the parent company of Stanton Optical, is accelerating its national expansion with plans to open 40 new locations next year while launching a strategic partnership with Staples that will bring optical services to retail stores. The company currently operates over 300 locations across 32 states and has positioned itself at the forefront of technology-driven eye care innovation.
Founded in 2006 by CEO Daniel Stanton, Now Optics has grown from a startup to a national omnichannel powerhouse serving millions of patients through a combination of retail stores, telehealth-enabled eye exams, and an integrated e-commerce platform. Stanton's vision of making eye care easy, affordable, and accessible has driven the company's expansion strategy, which now includes a groundbreaking partnership with office supply retailer Staples.
The Staples partnership will feature Stanton Optical "store-in-store" locations at select Staples stores, with construction on the first locations beginning in Fall 2025 in Pennsylvania. This innovative approach represents a significant shift in how optical services are delivered to consumers, bringing vision care directly to retail environments where customers already shop.
Technology has been central to Now Optics' business model, particularly in the area of telehealth. The company pioneered the use of ocular telehealth in retail optometry, launching its first virtual exam platform in 2016—years ahead of industry adoption. Today, affiliated doctors at Now Optics locations have performed over 4 million telehealth-enabled eye exams, making vision care more efficient and scalable.
Stanton's "Easy Eye Care" model blends affordable pricing, stylish eyewear, and same-day service supported by cutting-edge diagnostic technology. The company has recently expanded into advanced eye health services, including dry eye therapy and retinal imaging, broadening its scope in preventive care and chronic disease management.
The expansion comes at a time when consumer expectations are rapidly evolving toward greater convenience and quicker access to care. Telehealth eye exams, same-day glasses, and tech-driven innovations are reshaping how patients experience vision care. Now Optics' combination of retail, manufacturing, telehealth, and technology under one roof positions the company to meet these changing demands while addressing the nationwide shortage of eye care professionals.
Looking ahead, Stanton anticipates continued growth in telehealth adoption and the emergence of smart eyewear technologies featuring light-responsive lenses, real-time translation, and health tracking capabilities. These innovations represent the next frontier in vision care, blending style with function and transforming eyewear from mere vision correction tools into advanced wearable technology.
The company's expansion strategy and technological innovations have positioned Now Optics as the largest founder-owned and operated eye care platform in the U.S., with the Staples partnership marking a significant milestone in making vision care more accessible to communities across the country.