TREND WATCH

Extra Fun in the Sun

Accessories are ready to roll out for sunny summer day sales

perfect for patients heading to the beach or even just to the office for a day of wistfully looking out the window, there is a world of summer-friendly accessories that can help creative eyecare professionals build their bottom lines.

“An accessories table is a true profit center that keeps customers coming back into the store,” says John Nides, vice president of sales for Ogi Eyewear. “It is important to keep changing and updating your store display so people are always returning to see what is new and different.”

While this is a segment in which you’re competing with drug stores and department stores for buying dollars, optical professionals are at a true advantage with a better offering for consumers.

“Your customers will prefer buying accessories from you because you provide the better quality product and better service experience than the big box drugstores,” he adds.

The extra product also gives you a selling edge, as the accessories engage patients and build their interest level in shopping the store. While they’re at it, you’ll have more opportunities to provide them a full optical package.

Wondering what to stock this summer in your shop? Consider a variety of options to make your sales shine.

— Amy Spiezio

CLEANERS & DEFOGGERS

Cleaners and defoggers can be presented as an impulse item that helps extend the life and usefulness of eyewear. “Active sports, beaches, and other outdoor activities can leave their mark on lenses. Ensure each patient leaves your office with a lens cleaning kit,” says Jim Neuman, Hilco consumer accessories product manager.

SEEN HERE: Nanofilm’s Clarity Defog It (top) anti-fog keeps optics clear through summer’s humidity and active lifestyles. Hilco’s “Leader Lens Care To Go” (below) is an add-on with a compact and ergonomic cleaner and cloth in one convenient package.

RETAILING READERS AND SUN READERS

Vacation time is the time to catch up on fun for so many patients. “Sunglass readers are ideal for summertime fun and will really drive sales because they are essential for so many different people’s favorite activities,” says Ogi Eyewear’s vice president of sales, John Nides. “From outdoor fishing trips to beach-side reading, sunglass readers are a hot must-have item for every retailer.”

Consider a beach-themed accessories tables and window displays to illustrate the theme of summertime fun. Boost the creativity by adding a beach chair with a book to display sunglass readers.

SEEN HERE: eyeOs Premium Reader style Qué Linda (above) is a zyl reader in aspheric +1.00 to +3.00 and flattop photochromic with AR, UV400 and scratch-resistant coating.

Scojo New York’s sun reader for stylish men, Howard, (below) offers 100% UV protection, polycarbonate bifocal lenses in powers +1.50 to +2.50.

CASES

While most eyewear comes with a case, sometimes they’re too big, sometimes they go missing, and sometimes, people just want a different look or function for their eyewear holders.

A true bridge from optical to fashion accessories, cases do more than protect eyewear from sand and surf and the elements; they can also be a cool and practical part of packing an eyewear wardrobe sufficient for a holiday. Consider options that double as a small purse or carry more than one pair for your inventory.

SEEN HERE: Mykita has partnered with French accessories brand Côte&Ciel to create eyewear pouches in diamond grip mesh neoprene with integrated microfiber cloths. Frames always travel in style and close at hand.

KIDS

School will be out any minute now and kids will be heading to camp, the pool, the beach...anywhere in the great outdoors. So they’ll need eye protection, whether Rx or plano sunglasses.

“Children’s eyewear and sunwear represent two profitable growth categories for many of our customers,” says Daryl Squicciarini, president of OptiSource.

Rather than having parents pick up sunglasses that don’t provide full protection from the sun at clothing stores, ECPs have a truly helpful accessories opportunity with kids’ sunglass displays.

In addition, further accessories sales openings for the kids market includes the gear to keep their sunglasses, eyewear, and sports safety eyewear safe, clean, and securely on the child.

SEEN HERE: OptiSource’s MiniShades offer polarized protection in a wayfarer style sunglasses for children ages 0 to 7+. The Rx-able sunglasses offer 100% UV protection to young eyes and come with a “Hide n’ Seek” Loss & Damage warranty.

AND THERE’S MORE…

Some savvy opticals opt for more than just eyewear-related accessories, using tie-ins with sunglass and sports brands to sell logo gear. From bike helmets and ski goggles to hats, retainers, and bags, these brands provide loyal customers with head-to-toe buying options.

Seen here: Costa and Smith products ready for the fun to begin

CLIPS AND COVERS

While sunglass sales are critical for summer, a huge opportunity for accessories sales over the warmer months are products that offer an alternative to sunglasses, such as clips and fitover sunglasses. Both of these options save the potential cost of an Rx sun style, while ensuring that patients experience the comfort and protection of UVA and UVB protection.

OverRx options run the gamut from the very basic to mirrored styles and polarized options that appeal to sports participants such as fishers who might prefer the comfort of their everyday glasses but want the performance of polarized lenses. They are available in countertop displays as well as spinners that can also display cleaning kits and other accessories, allowing ECPs to decide how they will display and build the category.

Clips also run the gamut in terms of add-on options, from the very simple, basic, and inexpensive, to sky-is-the-limit custom options. These quick fixes for sun protection can be presented in handy clip kits for easy try-on, selection, and sale.

SEEN HERE: Live Eyewear’s Cocoon fitover style C702R (below left) is offered in black and other color options with lens choices including a polarized green mirror lens (shown here). CustomEyes Sun-clips (right) are made specific to patients’ frame shapes with multiple lens options available, including polarized and mirrored finishes.