By: Himanshi Jain
Last updated : December 17, 2025 2:46 pm
Designed by FRDC, Specsmakers’ latest store in Chennai, spread across 900 sq. ft., brings together thoughtful planning and human-centric design to redefine how eyewear retail is experienced.
Choosing a pair of glasses is rarely just a purchase. It’s about clarity of vision (quite literally), comfort and trust (in the person guiding you through that decision). For Specsmakers, eyewear has always been rooted in relationships. With its new 900 sq. ft. Chennai store designed by FRDC (Future Research Design Company), the brand reimagines what an optical store can be. A store that listens first, advises next, and sells last.
Founded by Pratik Shah and Sonal Shah, Specsmakers today operates over 200 stores across South India and continues to expand rapidly through a franchise-led model, opening 10–12 stores every month. This growth trajectory demanded a cohesive retail language that could be rolled out seamlessly across diverse geographies
Understanding the brand’s core
From the outset, FRDC’s mandate was clear – to retain Specsmakers’ loyal customer base while making the brand more contemporary and aspirational for new-age consumers.
“When Specsmakers approached us, we understood that they had a very unique positioning. Customers don’t come here just to buy frames; they come for advice, for what’s right for them, and for value for money. That trust had to be protected and translated into the new store experience,” explains Sanjay Agarwal, Co-Founder and MD of FRDC.
Unlike many fashion-driven eyewear brands, prescription eyewear is a category built on long-term relationships. Customers return year after year, often across generations, relying on professional guidance rather than impulse buying. Therefore, FRDC responded to this insight by shaping a store environment that prioritises professionalism, consultation, and comfort.
“No matter how stylish a store looks, eyewear is ultimately about clarity and comfort,” shares Sanjay. “Fit and vision precision are non-negotiable. The design had to communicate service-first and selling later.”
A retail journey that educates
One of the most defining elements of the new Specsmakers identity is the Lens Studio Wall. It’s an interactive zone that transforms technical details of eyewear into engaging conversations.
Understanding lenses, coatings, and indexes can feel overwhelming for many customers. The Lens Studio Wall simplifies this complexity by explaining things visually and in a relatable way, showing customers what each option means for their daily life. This makes the conversation clearer, more transparent, and allows customers to choose their eyewear with confidence rather than doubt.
“Precision has always been a core value for Specsmakers. The Lens Studio Wall was designed to democratise lens knowledge, making it engaging, informative, and easy to understand without looking medical or gimmicky,” adds Sanjay.
Minimal tech, maximum relevance
While many eyewear brands are investing heavily in digital gimmicks, FRDC took a deliberate, insight-led approach to technology integration. The store uses select iPads and screens to support staff-led consultations and messaging, rather than replacing human interaction.
As Sanjay highlights, “This category is highly consultative. Virtual try-ons and flashy tech often feel gimmicky and can actually dilute trust. If customers don’t believe in what they see, it works against the brand.”
Challenges in bringing the store to life
Executing the new Specsmakers store format came with its own set of practical and operational challenges, including geography, scale and cost sensitivity.
“There were a lot of challenges while bringing the Specsmakers stores to life. The locations are primarily across South India, some in city centres, some in the outskirts, and many in upcountry areas. Store sizes vary from 300 to 700 to 900 square feet, and the neighbourhoods are not always very urbanised. Yet, the store still has to shine.”
At the same time, maintaining a consistent customer experience across all formats was critical, especially within a cost-sensitive, franchise-driven model. The design had to feel unmistakably Specsmakers, regardless of where the store was located.
“Costs had to be kept very local and at a controlled level, while still ensuring that the customer experience remained consistent. Whether someone walked into a Specsmakers store in an upcountry town or a central city location, the experience needed to feel the same,” explains Sanjay.
To achieve this, FRDC adopted a modular and prefabricated design approach, allowing most elements to be assembled on site rather than constructed there. This helped control costs, speed up execution, and ensure that every store delivered a consistent Specsmakers experience.
A retail identity built on longevity
Summing up the intent behind the project, Sanjay shares, “Overall objective was to make the store feel professional, service-oriented, and consultation-driven, while still being contemporary, relevant, and sophisticated.”
With this new retail identity, Specsmakers strengthens its position as a trusted eyewear partner. FRDC’s design ensures that as the brand grows, its core values remain visible, tangible, and deeply human across every store.