MONTE CARLO—HAL Holding, which owns 97 percent of the Pearle Europe chain as well as optical stores under a number of other names, had a 4.4 percent increase in comparable-store sales of eyewear and eyecare in 2007, the company said last week.

HAL Holding finished last year with about 3,200 optical locations in 31 countries, including franchised stores. The company’s total systemwide optical sales, including those franchised locations, reached €2.4 billion in 2007.

For its company-owned stores, HAL saw sales grow to €1,842 million in 2007, up from €1,676 million the previous year. Operating income for the company-owned locations was €269 million, vs. €219 million in 2006.