Retail Strategies: Take 3
A trio of eyecare professionals share their perspective on what makes optical retail work – on the floor and beyond.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Through its Successful Retail Strategies features, 20/20 magazine chats often with eyecare professionals who go above and beyond — and whose patients return that effort. While the eyewear retail space is unique and ever-changing, and the line that separates successful practices from outstanding ones is thin, there are several characteristics outstanding retailers have in common, from the staff they hire to the way they go the extra mile for patients.
Here, advice from three successful retailers we’ve spoken to recently:
JENNIFER STEWART, OD, owner and visionary at Look New Canaan in New Canaan, Conn.
ERICA MELTZER, OD, owner and optometrist at Spectacles of Great Neck in Great Neck, N.Y.
SUE RANDHAWA, owner and licensed optician at The Optical Boutique in Kerrisdale, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
What criteria do you have when hiring staff?
JS: Personality, dedication to our vision, and a true team approach. We are a small but mighty team, and everyone chips in to do anything and everything that needs to be done. We are a low volume, high touch studio, so that is different from a typical practice where the volume is higher. I look for staff who want to learn, pride themselves on being the best, and are ready to give each client an amazing experience.
Read the full interviews or explore the entire Ac EYE x 20/20 Magazine.