news
Hot List: March 2012
Alicia Isenberg Hoglund
1 Numbing Numbers
The National Association of Shoplifting Prevention revealed the following:
■ Shoplifters commonly steal from $2 to $200 per incident.
■ Many shoplifters buy and steal merchandise in the same visit.
■ Shoplifters say they are caught only once in every 48 attempts.
2 DEFINING TERMS
Sweethearting
A form of employee theft in which the employee gives away products or services for free or at a discount.
Source: Security Director News
3 AGAIN AND AGAIN
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 75 percent of all employees steal at least once, and that half of them steal repeatedly.
4 An Inside Job
The National Retail Federation’s seventh annual Organized Retail Crime Survey revealed some staggering statistics.
12 % of organized retail crimes involve a corrupt employee.
84.8% of retailers believe organized retail crime activity has increased within the last three years.
Transitions Academy Goes 360°
1. Attendees enjoy some casino fun after the event’s finale; 2. Transitions’ Dave Cole, Jose Alves, and Brian Hauser; 3. There was no shortage of music or entertainment at the Academy; 4. Bob Hughbanks (l) and Bob Mares (r) of Expert Optics; 5. 2011 Transitions Lab of the Year Optical Prescription Lab; 6. Larry Lampert, OD, makes a point about sports vision during a managed vision care seminar; 7. Eyear Optical, Regional Retailer of the Year
The nearly 1,300 attendees of the 16th annual Transitions Academy were provided with a host of ways to look at their business from fresh perspectives. In fact, through the meeting’s “360° Experience” theme, attendees learned how to understand their customers and their business from every angle. The three-day event, held January 29 to 31, drew representatives from labs, lens manufacturers, retailers, and ECPs from across North and South America to the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.
In workshops led by Transitions engineers and sales professionals, attendees participated in hands-on experiments that demonstrated the new Transitions Vantage technology. Educational sessions on “Value-Focused Selling” and “The Four Disciplines of Execution by Franklin Covey” were also offered. Vision plan providers and brokers learned about the importance of eye health and the need to promote vision benefits. Leadership expert Simon Sinek presented the keynote address, encouraging attendees to find the “why” of their job and let their unique inspirations be their motivating force.
Transitions also launched a number of new initiatives, including its new, global consumer-targeted campaign, “Life, Well Lit,” and announced the Official Sponsor of Sightseeing (OSS) campaign.
The Academy Awards, held on the final night of the meeting, recognized industry professionals for their performance and commitment to promoting not just Transitions products, but healthy sight. The winners are: The first-ever Eyecare Practitioner of the Year—Preferred EyeCare Center of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Lab of the Year—Optical Prescription Lab (OPL) in Pelham, Ala., a four-time finalist; Vision Benefits Broker of the Year—Patrick Tibbs of Everence Financial Advisors of Goshen, Ind.; Regional Retailer of the Year—Eyear Optical, headquartered in McAllen, Texas; and National Retailer of the Year—Costco.
Countdown to VEE
The optical industry will be heading to New York City later this month for International Vision Expo East. The four-day event, to be held from March 22 to 25 at the Javits Center, will showcase the trend-forward frame and accessories fashions, the newest technology and equipment innovations, and offer close to 400 hours of continuing education.
This year, the show floor once again expands to fit the expected 575 exhibitors. New this year, the show floor welcomes the French Loft, a new area dedicated to showcasing the latest in French Design. The area will feature 10 high-end exhibitors, including Pierre Eyewear, Histoire de Voir, Jeremy Tarian, French Vintage Lunetier, Glance of Lens, Bruno Chaussignand, Struktur, Jacques Durand Lunetier, Lotho, and Waiting for the Sun.
The show will also feature many special events. Highlights include Safilo’s Fashion Show with emcee Carson Kressley at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday; Doctorfest, a free networking event, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday; and the Job Search Meet and Greet at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
More events and show specials are being added daily. For more information, or to register for the show, visit visionexpoeast.com.
| BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY |
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| Transitions Optical, Inc., announced a breakthrough in adaptive lens technology with its Transitions Vantage lens—which offers variable polarization as well as variable tint. Designed as everyday lenses, they are virtually clear and non-polarized indoors, and outdoors adapt to changing light conditions by increasing polarization and darkness. Through variable polarization, the lenses optimize the angle at which light reaches the eye, thereby helping to control glare and light scatter, according to the company. Transitions Optical president Dave Cole called the technology the “single biggest breakthrough in a long time” and paradigm-breaking, and likened it to the creation of AR or photochromic technology. The technology uses dyes that allow the photochromic molecules to align as they darken to create polarization. The darker the lens, the more polarization there will be. With AR added, the lenses will now be able to handle all four types of glare: distracting, discomforting, disabling, and blinding. The lenses will be available, exclusively in gray, in a variety of materials and designs in May. INFO: transitionsvantage.com |
Web Watch
In conjunction with its new branding announcement, PFO Global has launched a new website, pfoglobal.com. ECPs can browse the available eyewear and order finished eyewear with SV, bifocal, or free-form PAL identity lenses in all materials and add-on options.
Vision Council Executive Summit
1. Attendees participate in breakout sessions; 2. (l-r) Quest Optical’s Ed de Rojas, REM’s Mike Hundert, Kenmark’s Don Howard, and Smith Optical’s Scott MacGuffie play golf; 3. Keynote speaker Brian Beaulieu addresses attendees; 4. Keynote speaker Adam Hartung, Spark Partners
The Key Biscayne, Fla., Ritz Carlton was home to January’s annual Vision Council Executive Summit, which brought together more than 250 industry executives and guests for top-notch business, strategy, and networking events. Living up to its theme, “Strategize. Innovate. Network,” attendees gathered daily for general business and keynote sessions, division meetings, facilitated breakouts, panel discussions, and knockout waterside social events.
Multiple sessions focused on the digital age, including an industry panel led by REM’s Mike Hundert, which featured eight industry executives representing all sides of the industry—including contact and spectacle lenses, sports eyewear and frames, as well as wholesale labs and professional associations. Keynote speaker Brian Beaulieu from the Institute for Trend Research presented an economist’s perspective on the vision market in particular and business in general, while Adam Hartung, from Spark Partners, talked about “Beating the competition through marketplace disruption.”
OLA FINALIZES MERGER WITH VISION COUNCIL
Mike Francesconi, Chair, Optical Lab Division, and The Vision Council’s Jamie Shyer at the Vision Council Executive Summit in January
The Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) and The Vision Council signed a final merger agreement at The Vision Council’s Executive Summit in January. The OLA is now known as the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council, and the activities of both groups will be combined to benefit their respective memberships.
The OLA Board of Directors will become the Optical Lab Division Steering Committee, and is responsible for the guidance of all programs and services geared toward lab members. The roster includes the following:
Mike Francesconi, Katz & Klein, chairman; Virginia “Susie” Lesher, Brandstater Optical America, vice-chair; Jon Jacobs, Superior Optical Labs, past chair; John Haigh, J&J Optical; Drake McLean, Dietz-McLean Optical; Chris Bowers, Walman Optical; Swen Carlson, VSP Lab Columbus; Ronald Cooke, Jr., Diversified Ophthalmics; Bill Harding, LensTech Optical Laboratory; David Jochims, Carl Zeiss Vision; Keith Pulling, Essilor Labs of America; Steve Swalgen, Santinelli International; Adam Winkelman, Perfect Optics; and Rick Tinson, Hoya. Francesconi and Jacobs will represent the division on The Vision Council Board of Directors.
According to Francesconi, division members will continue to receive the programs and products that they did from the OLA, but will also have access to the marketing data, customer outreach programs, and training programs of The Vision Council.
Orange 21 Changes Corporate Name
Orange 21 announced that it has changed its corporate name to SPY Inc, effective Feb. 15, 2012. The change comes about after Orange 21 filed a Certificate of Ownership and Merger to effect a merger of the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SPY Inc., and to change the company’s legal name to SPY Inc. The company has also received preliminary approval to change its stock symbol to “XSPY.”
| Test Your Mettle! |
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| Whether you’re new to your profession or have been in practice for 20 years, remembering everything you’ve learned is one tough assignment. To help you clear any cobwebs, Test Your Mettle features one question each month for optometrists from a previous Varilux Optometry Super Bowl and one for opticians from a National Federation of Opticianry Schools College Bowl. Thanks to Essilor and NFOS for providing this month’s questions and answers. OPTOMETRY Q. In retinoscopy, neutrality is obtained in the 100 degree meridian through a +4.25 sphere working from 67cm, and neutrality of the 10 degree meridian is obtained by moving the retinoscope to 40cm. What is the prescription? OPTICIANRY Q. Abberations are deviations from normal vision. What are two higher-order aberrations commonly identified today? |
BRIOT NATIONAL SALES MEETING A SUCCESS
Briot USA, Briot/WECO Canada, and Visionix recently gathered their sales representatives, service technicians, administration, and executive management for a two-day 2012 North American sales meeting. Held in Alpharetta, Ga., the event celebrated a 2011 that saw strong growth, according to the company, and laid plans for several initiatives in the coming months. The national sales meeting also brought the opportunity to recognize both sales representatives and service technicians for outstanding dedication and performance.
Briot USA and Briot/WECO Canada are producers of lens processing technology, and Visionix is a manufacturer of both ophthalmic and optometric equipment.
| VSP Teams with TruHearing |
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| VSP Vision Care has teamed up with TruHearing, a discount medical health organization, to provide significant savings on hearing aids to the 56 million VSP Vision Care Members. TruHearing will now offer discount hearing services to VSP Vision Care members and their covered dependents through the ValueAdd program, which will provide up to 35 percent off retail prices on digital hearing aids. Members have the option to upgrade to the MemberPlus program to receive additional discounts of up to 68 percent. Under the MemberPlus program, subscribers also have the opportunity to add up to four extended family members not covered under their plan for a reduced annual membership fee. |
| NEW CAMPAIGN AND ECP INFO |
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| Essilor of America has launched a new branding campaign highlighting how Varilux PALs offer solutions to presbyopes for all their varied visual needs. Trade print advertisements feature four individuals portrayed in different situations of their daily lives, each with the need for clear vision up close, at a distance, and in between—for example, a man who works as an architect but also flies glider planes. Also part of the campaign is a video, which is available at youtube.com/VariluxLenses. Essilor has also released its Xperio Sunwear Conversation training series of webinars for ECPs. The series provides ECPs with training on how to talk with patients about the need for sunwear, UV protection, and the benefits of polarized lenses. For information on the series, contact your Xperio representative, or visit xperiousa.com/training. |
Good Idea
Dita Eyewear cofounders John Juniper and Jeff Solorio have created a special training program for its loyal and qualified customers. The Global Educational Sales Program features fun and interactive tools and skill-building exercises to help train ECPs to become stylists, not sales people. Dita’s hands-on program, broken down into one-hour sessions over the course of six months, features a script to support role playing as well as an educational video and manual. ECPs who take the course will learn valuable techniques—instant rapport, mirror and matching, breaking personal barriers, and assuming the close—all designed to heighten sell-through and increase sales.
INFO: 800-449-DITA, ditalegends.com
On the TOWN
1. and 4. Models make their way down the catwalk wearing Orgreen eyewear at the CIFF Trend Show; 2. Actress Andie MacDowell poses in Safilo sunwear while in Utah for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival; 3. and 5. Models showcase the latest eyewear from the Gant by Michael Bastian Fall 2012 collection; 6. Actress Laura Prepon is fitted in Safilo sunwear at the Gen Art “Bertolli Meal Soup Chalet”
Orgreen made a big splash during The Copenhagen Fashion Week, showcasing its latest eyewear styles on the CIFF Trend Show catwalk.
Safilo and Solstice Sunglass Boutique fit celebrities with sunwear at the Gen Art “Bertolli Meal Soup Chalet,” held at the Sky Lodge in Park City, Utah, in honor of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
At last month’s New York Fashion Week, designer Michael Bastian showcased his latest ready-to-wear Fall 2012 collection as well as his latest eyewear collection, distributed by Viva International Group.
License Lineup
Nicole Miller and L’Amy America recently signed a global licensing agreement for the design and distribution of ophthalmic frames, sunwear, and readers under the Nicole Miller, Nicole by Nicole Miller, and Nicole Miller New York brands. The initial collection, which will feature 34 styles, will be previewed at this month’s Mido and Vision Expo East and will be ready for distribution in April.
Florida-based Virtual Lens Express has inked a license agreement with The Sharper Image company for the production and marketing of ophthalmic lenses, optical frames, and prescription and non-prescription sunwear under the Sharper Image brand.
New York Eye has signed an exclusive, six-year licensing agreement with Eddie Bauer, ending on Dec. 31, 2016. The agreement gives New York Eye rights to the distribution of Eddie Bauer Eyewear to North and Central America as well as the Carribean.
| AHAF Releases Videos for Low Vision Awareness Month |
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| The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) has introduced computer-animated 3D visuals providing an internal look at the eye’s anatomy on its website, ahaf.org. Visitors can watch 127 videos, created by Eyemaginations, Inc., on a variety of topics including the origins, progression, diagnosis, and treatment of eye diseases. The videos were launched last month in conjunction with February’s Age-related Macular Degeneration Month and Low Vision Awareness Month. Videos on macular degeneration are available at ahaf.org/eyevideos1; videos on glaucoma are available at ahaf.org/eyevideos2. |
STAR Gazers
1. Actor Michael C. Hall was spotted wearing John Varvatos style V751 shades by REM Eyewear. Hall’s latest movie, “The Trouble With Bliss,” hits theaters at the end of this month.
2. Actress Christina Hendricks and actor hubby Geoff Arend are all smiles at the Sundance Film Festival in Yves Saint Laurent YSL 6347s and YSL 2334s styles shades by Safilo.
3. Actor Owen Wilson in Salvatore Ferragamo style SF617S sunglasses by Marchon. Catch Wilson alongside actress Kathy Bates in “Midnight in Paris,” which recently won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay.
4. Front woman Grace Potter from Grace Potter and The Nocturnals blows a kiss while sporting the Pau Hana frame by Maui Jim. Potter and the band is set to perform at Coachella 2012 music festival next month.
VIVA INTERNATIONAL: GUESS
Prescription-Ready Sunglass Collection
Viva International introduces its new GUESS sunglass collection. This new line of prescription-ready sunglasses consist of 23 Women’s styles and 13 Men’s styles, which all reflect the fashion-forward and sexy look of the GUESS brand.
The new styles offer a diverse range of trendy shapes, aviators and cat-eyes in high quality plastic and sleek metals. This collection includes:
• 6 base with a frame construction that is easily Rxable.
• Every style features the signature GUESS logo or GUESS “G” with metal inlay detailing, laser engravings or novel hardware.
“We are so excited to be able to offer a complete collection of prescription-ready sunglasses for men and women which cater to the sexy GUESS consumer,” says Lauren Michael, Global Product Development Manager – GUESS, Viva International. “The trend-setting styling combined with Rxable functionality sets GUESS apart from its competition in the sunglass category.”
MARKETING: With the purchase of every frame you will receive a GUESS Cleaning Kit to use as an end-consumer gift.
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