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NEW YORK—With the addition of an estimated 139 optical locations, sales by leading mass merchandising chains and warehouse clubs grew by an estimated 5.6 percent from an estimated $2,665.7 million in 2013 to an estimated $2,814.3 in 2014.

The combined number of in-store vision centers in mass merchandising chains and warehouse clubs grew an estimated 3.0 percent from an estimated 4,566 locations in 2013 to an estimated 4,705 locations in 2014.

Number one Wal-Mart Stores firmly held its position with an estimated 2,964 optical locations generating an estimated $1,538.0 million in sales for 2014. That’s up 2.6 percent from the estimated $1,499.0 million that was generated by 2,884 Walmart Vision Centers in 2013. The total of Walmart’s vision business in 2014 includes an estimated $1,367.0 million in sales from Walmart’s own optical departments plus an estimated $171.0 million from those operated by National Vision.

In second place among the mass merchants/warehouse clubs, Costco remains well ahead of Sam’s Club in the number three spot and the others that round out the chart— Target, Shopko, BJ’s and Fred Meyer.

Highlights from 2014 for some of the leading mass merchandising chains and warehouse clubs were:

National Vision, which operates Vista Optical locations in select Fred Meyer stores along with Walmart optical leased locations, was acquired at the end of the first quarter of 2014 by KKR from Berkshire Partners for an undisclosed amount that is reportedly in excess of $1 billion.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. implemented “the biggest contract in the history of VSP” when it began offering vision benefits to its eligible employees and their dependents through VSP Vision Care. Representing a potential million new members, company participants can choose Walmart Vision Centers or Sam’s Club Optical locations as their primary eyecare providers.

Costco, beginning in early 2014, became a provider for Superior Vision and Davis Vision, as a result of agreements signed with the two managed vision care companies at the end of 2013. Costco also became a UnitedHealthcare Vision provider in 2013.

Target Optical was the only area where Luxottica Retail’s optical retail locations showed any increase, adding 11 units to grow from 335 locations in 2013 to 346 by the end of 2014.

In June of 2014, Mike Bettiga retired from his position as Shopko’s senior vice president, retail health, after 37 years with the company. The position was then filled by Michael Cantrell, a registered pharmacist and licensed attorney.

jsailer@jobson.com