news
Hot List: April 2009
1 SUNWEAR STATS |
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Most frequently sold sunwear in conjunction with Rx eyewear purchases: 67% → prescription 34% → clip-on 19% → plano 12% → Over Rx —Eyecare Business survey |
2 Small Businesses Bounce Back |
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According to a recent American Express OPEN Economic Pulse survey, small business optimism is growing. In January, only 56 percent reported being affected by tightening credit (compared to 63 percent in October); just 46 percent are accepting lower profit margins (vs. 58 percent in October); and only 66 percent said they're stressed out about the economy (vs. 71 percent last August). |
3 April Windfalls
People expecting tax refunds filed earlier this year—by the end of February—according to NRF's Tax Returns Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch. Among consumers surveyed:
68.4% expect a refund
48% will use their refund to pay debts
38.9% plan to save their refund money
11% intend to make a major purchase
26.7% say they will use the refund to pay for everyday expenses
4 Emails=Sales 50% of Americans say they're more likely to buy—either online or in-store—from companies they receive email from, according to a survey from Epsilon and conducted by ROI research. |
Santinelli
Teams with Eyenovate |
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Santinelli International has partnered with Eyenovate to offer unique Chemistrie Sunlenses that magnetically self-align onto Rx eyewear. As an introductory offer, Santinelli is providing the lens edger Click Mode and a Chemistrie Sunlenses starter kit with the purchase of an ME-1000 Lens Edging System. "More than ever, retailers need to differentiate themselves in order to compete and find new revenue sources," commented Gerard Santinelli, president and CEO of Santinelli International. "By fabricating Chemistrie Sunlenses in-house, customers are happy and the practice's profits grow." Added George C. Parks, president and CEO of Eyenovate: "Our alliance with Santinelli International and the development of the lens edger Click Mode offers a turnkey solution for increasing profits." |
OAA Relocates HQ's, Hires New Executive Director
The Opticians Association of America has relocated its corporate headquarters to Lakeland, Tenn., a suburb of Memphis.
"OAA is making this strategic move to take advantage of a central location with a cost-effective environment for the organization to grow," commented Tom Hicks, OAA president. "The move will allow more opticians to have better access to our numerous services and benefits."
The organization has also named Chris Allen executive director. Allen has over 12 years of public relations experience, fundraising, government affairs, executive leadership, and general business administration. His previous roles include a position on the staff of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), executive director of the Hardwood Forest Foundation and the Hardwood Federation, and executive director of MPACT Memphis.
The OAA's new address is: 4064 E. Fir Hill Drive, Lakeland, Tenn., 38002. Telephone is 901-388-2423.
Essilor Alliance and Acquisitions
Essilor International and Nikon Corporation have formed a strategic alliance in research by forming a 50/50 joint venture, Nikon and Essilor International Joint Research Center Co., Ltd., located in Kanagawa, Japan.
The Research Center extends the partnership already established through Nikon-Essilor Co., Ltd. The new venture will conduct research and development mainly in materials, optics, and ophthalmic areas.
In acquisition news, during the fourth quarter of 2008, Essilor acquired at least a majority interest in seven U.S. wholesale labs. Acquisitions include Varilux distributors Pech Optical Corp. in Iowa, SouthWest Lens Corp. in Texas, and Collard Rose Optical Laboratory in California. Essilor also acquired all outstanding shares of Next Generation Ophthalmics, Inc., a majority stake in Dependable Optics, Inc., and the assets of Hi-Tech Optical, Inc., and Pinnacle LLC.
Relocates U.S. Manufacturing |
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Due to a series of global restructuring initiatives, the Polycore Optical Group, based in Singapore, is relocating all polycarbonate manufacturing to its Indonesia plant, closing the production facility in Reno, Nev. The commercial organization will be developed further in the U.S. to improve quality and service. Polycore representatives state that the firm considers the U.S. and other markets in North and South America to be integral to its strategy moving forward. |
PIO 2009 to Focus on Finance
Primary Eyecare Network (PEN) will present the fourth in its series of programs focused on Preserving Independent Optometry, PIO 2009. Focusing on financials and marketing, PIO 2009 will take place at the Claremont Resort & Spa in Berkeley Hills, Calif., May 16 to 17.
For more information, call PEN at 800-444-9230 or visit PEN's website at www.PrimaryEye.net.
Polarized Partners: Intercast Europe and Serengeti Eyewear Synergize |
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Intercast Europe and Serengeti Eyewear have partnered to launch Serengeti Polar PHD lenses. Announced during Mido on March 6, Intercast Europe announced the agreement with Bushnell for the production of a new polarized photochromic lens designed for Serengeti and built on Intercast Europe's NXT lens platform. The lenses are available in the new Serengeti sport and Wire Flex Series styles. The polarizing layer of Serengeti Polar PhD lenses is engineered directly to the lens' back surface utilizing Intercast's Advanced Polarized Surface Technology. "The lens combines Serengeti's state-of-the-art Spectral Control, Intercast's Advanced Polarized Surface Technology, and the attributes of Trivex material," explained Francesco Pellegrini, corporate and marketing manager at Intercast Europe. "We are proud to provide innovative sunlens technologies to the optical, fashion, and sports industries." |
Perfect Optics and Expert Optics to Produce Zeiss Lenses
Perfect Optics of Vista, Calif., and Expert Optics of Shorewood, Ill., are now certified to produce Zeiss Individual, Zeiss GT2 3D, Zeiss GT2 3D Short, and the rest of the manufacturer's line of customized PALs.
"Carl Zeiss Vision's customized lenses employ proprietary real-time calculation engines and a patented back surface production process," says Claude Labeeuw, the company's vice president for business development. "This new technology requires a unique certification process to assure the highest level of quality."
Perfect Optics was founded in 2006. In addition to Carl Zeiss, the lab's other corporate partner is VSP. Expert Optics has offered a full range of lab services for 30 years.
Blake Kuwahara Launches
Design Collective
Award-winning eyewear designer Blake Kuwahara is launching a new collaborative design collective, Focus Group West, a multi-disciplinary company designed to service various segments of the optical industry.
Kuwahara recently resigned from his position as vice president, creative director for REM Eyewear and Base Curve, a position he held for five and a half years.
Focus Group West will specialize in product development and branding for eyewear markets and beyond. "We believe there is a void in the marketplace for a creative resource that can provide design and branding services for not only wholesalers and fashion houses, but to independent optometrists and retailers as well," Kuwahara said.
"Focus Group West will serve as a hub for the interaction between product, graphic, and interior designers, architects, and public relations specialists to design, develop, and promote product, interior spaces, and create brand identity for eyewear and fashion companies."
Kuwahara will be joined by former REM colleague Thomas Ferguson, who will be serving as key eyewear designer.
In addition, architect John Lum, who gained notoriety for his now iconic Urban Eyes dispensary design, will offer architectural services to all Focus Group West clients.
Niki Ostin of PR Lab, who handled the launch of Carolina Herrera Eyewear and John Varvatos Eyewear, and who works with top accessory, fashion, and entertainment brands, will be overseeing public relations campaigns for clients of Focus Group West.
Focus Group West is currently discussing potential projects with clients both within and outside the eyewear industry.
"The launch of Focus Group West comes at a time when retailers and wholesalers need to sharpen their game to bring to market product that will resonate with consumers and speak to the essence of the brand," Ferguson said.
Test Your Mettle! |
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OPTOMETRY Q. What is the most common bacterial pathogen affecting the ocular adnexa? OPTICIANRY Q. If a patient appears to see people taller than they are through their eyeglasses, they maybe experiencing: |
Test Your Mettle ANSWERS |
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Thanks to Essilor's Optometry Super Bowl and the NFOS, sponsor of the College Bowl, for these questions and answers. Optometry Answer: Staph aureus Opticianry Answer: Excessive or unwanted base down prism |
VSP's
Sight for Students Hits Milestone
VSP's charitable Sight for Students program announced it helped the 500,000th child since its inception in 1997. The program has funded almost $100 million in free eyecare and eyewear for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured children.
VSP's Sight for Students program offers qualified families with vouchers to visit one of their 25,000 network doctors who provide comprehensive eye exams, identify vision issues, and prescribe glasses during their visit. "This is a significant milestone for us because investing in the community is at the heart of VSP's mission as a company," said VSP president and CEO Rob Lynch.
According to a recent nationwide study, more than 76 percent of American children under the age of five have never received a comprehensive eye exam, and one in four kids in every classroom has vision problems.
VSP works with nonprofit community organizations to deliver Sight for Students eyecare including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Communities in Schools, Head Start, National Association of School Nurses, and Prevent Blindness America. "Sight for Students exemplifies the kind of impactful work that our 275 Alliance partners engage in every day to improve the lives of children and youth in this country," said Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO, America's Promise Alliance.
License Lineup |
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Safilo Group announced the renewal of its licensing agreement with Fossil, Inc., to design, manufacture, and market prescription eyeglass frames as well as prescription sunglasses for the optical market. The renewal is in effect until 2013, with the possibility of an extension for a further five-year period, and includes distribution rights in the U.S. and Canada, where the collections are currently sold. Safilo Group has been a licensee of the Fossil brand since 1999. Viva International Group announced a licensing agreement with SKECHERS, a global leader in the lifestyle footwear industry, for the design, marketing, and global distribution of SKECHERS-branded eyewear for men, women, and children. The SKECHERS collection of ophthalmics will be presented next year at Vision Expo East, and SKECHERS Sunglasses will launch in spring 2010 at department and specialty retailers worldwide. Daniel Swarovski crystal eyewear announced that its partnership with Silhouette International will end in mid-2010. Silhouette was granted a license for the crystal eyewear in 1996/1997. Swarovski says it wants to build an eyewear collection under the Swarovski brand in the future, but a number of new Collections by Daniel Swarovski crystal eyewear will be launched until the end of 2009. The dealer network will receive support until at least mid-2010. |
Web World
The Paraoptometric Section of the American Optometric Association (AOA) has a new Online Paraoptometric Training-Navigator (OPT-N) program that provides online training for paraoptometric staff through the AOA website. The new program is offered for the first six months of 2009 free of charge to AOA Paraoptometric Section members.
The OPT-N program is a skills-focused training format for those new to paraoptometry. The program aims to increase the knowledge base for new support staff before they receive on-the-job training from the optometrist. For more information, visit the AOA website, located at www.aoa.org/OPT-N.xml.
VISTAKON, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has launched ACUMINDER In-Office, the latest version of the company's free online ACUMINDER contact lens compliance and reminder service.
ACUMINDER In-Office lets eyecare professionals sign up patients for regular reminders to help them remember when to change their contact lenses, purchase new lenses, and schedule an eye exam. To register your practice for ACUMINDER In-Office, visit the website www.acuminder.com/doctor.
VSP® Vision Care has launched a wellness program, GetFIT, for members, clients, and visitors to vsp.com. The new program was modeled after a successful internal wellness program that VSP currently offers to its own employees.
The GetFIT section of the Eyecare Discovery Center on vsp.com contains many tools and resources to help visitors on their path to a healthier lifestyle. Participants can use a variety of interactive forms to track progress, establish goals, and stay motivated.
SECO: The Education Destination |
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The 86th SECO International Congress in Atlanta featured a theme, "The Eyeway to the Future. The optometry education program offered more than 140 hours of education for ODs, while the allied ophthalmic professionals program provided more than 200 education hours. The exhibit hall, featured nearly 300 companies. Special events included a Road Trip Party to Atlantic Station to listen to the Bad Habits play at the Fox Sports Grill and a Winner's Circle Party at the Georgia Aquarium featuring country music star Kellie Pickler. |
PIXEL Partners with Transitions
PixelOptics and Transitions Optical have forged a partnership to offer Transitions lenses in PixelOptics' composite lens designs. "Our company has always strived not only to improve the eyesight of our customers, but to constantly develop innovative products that will enhance their vision experience as a whole," commented Ronald Blum, OD, president and CEO of PixelOptics.
Added Transitions' Brian Hauser, director, lens manufacturer and trade channel sales, "With this partnership, labs and ECPs can now offer consumers the comfort and convenience of Transitions lenses in the latest lens design technology."
ON THE TOWN
ClearVision's National Sales Meeting (photos shown top to bottom) took place January 16 to 19 at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Fla. The hands-on training experience gave each ClearVision sales consultant face time with an expert panel of industry specialists.
The official inauguration ceremony of the "Guglielmo Tabacchi" Gallery took place at the Padua headquarters of Safilo Group following a major renovation and extension project. The event also included the main celebration of the company's 75th birthday. The Guglielmo Tabacchi Gallery is one of the largest, most comprehensive private collection of spectacles and artifacts linked to the optical sector.
Carl Zeiss Vision–Florida, formerly Tri-City Optical, unveiled its new, high-tech look to eyecare professionals in a grand reopening held on February 5. The open house was hosted by Richard Hoerbelt, lab manager; Don Oakley, VSP's president for ophthalmic operations; and Fred Howard, Carl Zeiss Vision's president Americas–Pacific.
In addition, Carl Zeiss Vision has opened a full-service, VSP-approved laboratory colocated within the Legends VSP laboratory based in Lewisville, Texas.
STAR Gazers |
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1. Robert Joy wears CliC magnetic eyewear as medical examiner Dr. Sid Hammerback in every episode of the popular forensic science drama "CSI: NY." 2. Actress and style maven Lisa Rinna wore Revlon style RV568 by Altair while cohosting the TV Guide network's "Live at the Academy Awards with Lisa and Joey" alongside Joey Fatone. 3. Mickey Rourke made a huge comeback with the movie "The Wrestler," for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. The actor wore Press by Sama Eyewear to the 2009 Oscar Nominees Luncheon in February. 4. Former "Living Single" actress and "In the Loop with iVillage" cohost Kim Coles looked smashing in Jee Vice style Exotic at a Grammy Awards celebrity style lounge. |