Pearle Europe had sales of $328.7 million in 2001, according to the 10-K report filed by Cole National with the US Securities & Exchange Commission. Its profitability improved by about 40 percent, judging from a 40 percent higher income of $1 million for Cole National from its 21 percent stake in the European chain. Before corporate expenses of $11.7 million, the Cole Vision segment of Cole National raised its operating income to $23,011,000 last year on indicated sales of $826 million from its 2,143 stores in North America and the Caribbean.