COASTAL CONTACTS RANKS AS TOP PUBLIC RETAIL COMPANY IN BC ON FASTEST 50 LIST

TSX Symbol: COA
NASDAQ OMX Symbol: COA

VANCOUVER, Oct. 29 /CNW/ - Coastal Contacts Inc (the "Company" or "Coastal") has been ranked as the 11^th fastest growing public company with headquarters in British Columbia by BusinessBC.  The Company was also the highest ranked retail company, followed closely by Lululemon Athletica (Lulu:NAS) at 19^th spot. 

Coastal Contacts ranking was based on a combination of factors including revenue growth of 73%, share price growth of 57%, and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of 350% from 2006 to 2009.

The BusinessBC Top 100 list takes into account numerous factors of a company's growth, and balanced growth over many facets, rather than success in one category. 

Steve Bochen, Coastal Contacts' Chief Operating Officer, commented: "We are honored to be among the top fastest growing companies in BC.  This is a testament to the efforts and passion of our dedicated team who are changing the way the world buys glasses and contact lenses."

About Coastal Contacts:

Coastal Contacts Inc. is the world's leading direct-to-consumer vision products company which designs, produces and distributes a diversified offering of contact lenses and eyeglasses.  Coastal's unique combination of branded and private label products represent quality, value and above all, service.  Coastal sells into more than 150 countries through proprietary web properties which reflect the culture and consumer preference of the target market.  As markets for eyeglasses and contact lenses evolve, Coastal is positioned to become the vision product consumer's retailer of choice owing to its compelling value proposition combining value, speed and service.  A leader in many of its markets, Coastal is rapidly advancing toward its goal of becoming the "World's Optical Store".

Forward Looking Statements

All statements made in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "goal", "target", "should," "likely," "potential," "continue," "project," "forecast," "prospects," and similar expressions typically are used to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about our business and the industry and markets in which we operate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict.

Persons reading this news release are cautioned that forward-looking statements or information are only predictions, and that our actual future results or performance may be materially different due to a number of factors. Reference should also be made to the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in our most recently filed Annual Information Form dated January 29, 2010 and in the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm listing prospectus dated October 14, 2009, as filed on Sedar and with the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, for a detailed description of the risks and uncertainties relating to our business. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and we expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, unless we specifically state otherwise and except as required by applicable law.

For further information:

Terry Vanderkruyk
Vice President, Corporate Development
Coastal Contacts Inc.
D 604.676.4498
E  [email protected]