CHANDLER, Ariz.--The Nationwide Vision chain, which celebrated the grand opening of its 57th location in mid-July, will boost its store count by opening five additional locations during the rest of this year, according to president Al Bernstein.

The newest Nationwide office, using its Optique format, opened in Anthem, Ariz. Future sites for this year include Lake Havasu and Sahuarita, Ariz., along with additional metropolitan Phoenix locations.

Bernstein said the chain had a strong first half of the year, posting comparable-store sales gains of 7.5 percent in both the Phoenix and Tucson markets, and a 19 percent comp-store increase in the outlying regions of the state.

Next year, Nationwide should add another six or seven locations, he noted.