editor’s letter

The Sky is Falling

In this issue, we touch on the volatile and terrifically important topic of the environment. In our cover story, we mention what some optical companies—both big and small—are doing to lessen the stress on our surroundings.
When it comes to this subject, some folks ignore it, others take the whatcan- I-do-cuz-the-sky-is-falling anyway approach, and others, like those we interviewed, are taking steps. As you can see in the column facing this editorial, even something simple like changing light bulbs can make a difference.
Speaking of the sky is falling, that was certainly the prevailing sentiment a few years ago when it came to the effect the Internet was going to have on brick and mortar retail. What has, of course, happened is that they’ve learned to live in tandem in a strange bedfellows sort of way.
That’s underscored in a survey just released by Accenture, which states that 67 percent of those surveyed would rather buy in a store. What they do first, however, is conduct research on the Internet. Here’s what they are looking for on the Net:
• 69% research a product’s features
• 68% shop prices before going to a store
• 58% find what store carries the item they want One surprising finding is that women don’t prefer brick and mortar for the same reasons as men. Women say they don’t want to pay shipping charges, while men report they prefer stores because they’ll get better prices there. We hope you’ll enjoy this technology-driven issue. Please let us know if you, like the folks in our Going Green feature, are doing something ecofriendly in your locations.

Sincerely, Stephanie K. De Long Editor-in-Chief

P.S. Don’t miss the Seiko-sponsored CE for opticians that starts on p. 49.

WHAT THEY SAID

IN-HOUSE LABS
“Equipment companies estimate that ECPs can save around one-third or more on their lab bills by having an in-office finishing system.”
Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Going Green
Why change from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs?
10x…how much longer they last
75%…the electricity you save
$30…the money you save per bulb
Erinn Morgan

FUNCTION & FASHION
“Glasses are an industrial design translated into fashion. ”
Barbara McReynolds