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The article reports on the acquisition of optical retailer Refac Optical Group by ACON Investments LLC in the U.S. Refac's main operating subsidiary US Vision Inc. was included in the purchase which is a leading in-host optical retailer. ACON purchases Refac from Palisade Concentrated Equity Partnership LP which is an affiliate of Palisade Capital Management LLC which retains a minority stake in the business. A company overview of Refac, ACON and Palisade is also given.

Reports on the companies who successfully implemented change by getting their employees involved in the process. U.S. Vision; Wilson McHenry Co.; Sears Roebuck & Co.; Initial difficulties.

A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Inc. and US Vision Inc. were both established through initial public offerings. A.C. Moore held its IPO in October 1997 and the firm has already caught the attention of several buyers of arts and crafts. A.C. Moore, which has 25 branches in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, posted a 26.3% in its yearly net sales to $138.1 million for fiscal year 1997. Meanwhile, US Vision opened 39 stores in 1997 after going public. US Vision, which offers eyewear products and services, reported a 10% growth in its 1997 sales to amount to $122.8 million, along with a $3.2 million boost in its net income to amount to $5.3 million.

Focuses on mergers and acquisitions in the optical retail sector in the U.S. as of November 3, 2003. Cancellation of a group of investors to buy Emerging Vision Inc.; Takeout proposal received by Cole National Corp. from an unnamed bidder; Move of the U.S. Vision to go private.

This article reports on the acquisition of Refac Optical Group by ACON Investments from Palisade Concentrated Equity Partnership. Under the deal, Refac chief executive officer (CEO) David Pierson and US Vision president William Schwartz will be retained. ACON plans to pursue a number of growth initiatives for US Vision. Hogan Lovells served as legal adviser of ACON on the deal.

Reports the performance of the shares of stock of U.S. Vision Inc. in the stock market in the United States. Cancellation of an agreement to buy the remaining stocks of the company; Amount of the fiscal third quarter loss of the company; Effect of the restructuring of an outlet of the company on customer traffic.

Reports on the decision of U.S. Vision Inc. to put itself up for sale. Information on the bid offer from Norcross Investment Group; Impact of the decision to the stock price of the company; How the decision of the company will affect its search for strategic alternatives.

Examines the stock of New Jersey-based U.S. Vision. Stock price as of June 10, 1999; Owner of a nationwide chain of retail optical product stores; First-quarter sales for 1999.

Focuses on the expansion of U.S. Vision company located in Blackwood, New Jersey, which is funded by the Camden County Improvement Authority. Information on the expansion; Speculation on employment from the expansion; Background information on the company.

Reports on the expectations of U.S. Vision, of the amount of money it would like to raise from an initial public offering, seller of glasses and contact lenses. Estimated number of shares to be sold; Cost of these shares.

The article reports on the partnership by Michigan-based retailer Meijer with U.S. Vision Inc. to be its exclusive vision center and mentions the U.S. cities where Meijer stores are located and the eyewear offered by the centers including frames, contact lenses and ready-made readers.

The article reports on the plan of Palisade Capital Management to take the publicly-held Refac Optical Group private. Refac was formed through Palisade's integration of U.S. Vision and OptiCare Health Systems in March 2006. Palisade is forming ROG Acquisition to control its 89% share and additional stocks from other shareholders, totaling 91.7% of Refac and will then offer to buy the remaining shares at $6 per share.

The article reports on the decision of U.S. Vision to amend its licensed-department agreement with J.C. Penney. The amendment will allow U.S. Vision to operate retail optical departments at the stores of J.C. Penney. U.S. Vision plans to open its first departments inside J.C. Penney's off-mall stores in fall 2007.

Reports on investigations made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a possible conflict of interest in banking company Commerce Bancorp Inc.'s relationship with U.S. Vision Inc., a Glendora, California-based eyeglass retailer that was a customer of Commerce.

Presents news briefs on ophthalmology in the U.S. as of July 2002. Introduction of a second-generation microkeratome by the Paradigm Medical Industries; Plan of Kayak Acquisition Corp. to acquire and privatize U.S. Vision; Approval of the ophthalmic surgical and contact lens unit of Allergan Inc. by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Presents news briefs from the optical industry as of January 2000. Appointment of John Fryers as vice president of the Canadian operations of U.S. Vision Inc.; Results of a patient survey about the PureVision contact lenses introduced by Bausch & Lomb.