In a recent study conducted by CBS of Caribbean Netherlands, over 61 percent of the population admitted to having worn any form of vision correcting tool such as eyeglasses or contacts. This number is expected to soar even further with the increasing amount of time we spend with our gadgets. Prolonged exposure to radiation from screens have been proven to cause visual impairments; numerous studies have shown already. With such numbers, anyone that is business-minded can deduce that corrective eyewear will never go out of the loop. So for those seeing potential in corrective eyewear commercially, here are a few steps you must take to get you started on your new business like Earth Vision Eye Care in Boca Raton.
Any business endeavor must begin with a business plan. Choose your store’s location, size, structure, and merchandise. You must also determine the number of staff to hire and the nature of the products you will sell. Offering only fashion eyewear will reduce your costs of capital. Selling prescription glasses, however, will require you to purchase optical equipment such as a keratometer and refraction unit. Your store must also come with an in-house optometrist who can perform eye exams and prescribe lenses for your customers. Prescription glasses have high demand, so investing in them will give you great returns.
You can also opt to manufacture your frames and lenses or contact a supplier. In-house manufacturing will require huge capitals, so the ideal choice for startups is to find a supplier. Be skilled in the art of bargaining for discounts of buying bulk raw materials to gain more profits. You must also make sure that your supplier sells only authentic products since your business might go down if you are caught selling counterfeit ones.
With any business, location is also integral to its survival. Choose a central location with great exposure and traffic. Increased exposure would lessen the need to market your business. Startups go well if they are situated near popular establishments such as malls or restaurants. With the increased traffic, your eye store’s visibility will go up, leading even more people to be curious about what you offer. Having lots of loyal customers who would choose your shop as their main store for eyewear adjustments and repair over the years is one of the best ways to prolong your business’ life span.
Lastly, you must invest in marketing your business. This will ensure that you will have customers even outside your area. With a solid fanbase, you must keep the quality of your merchandise consistent throughout the years to satisfy your customer’s needs. With how common eyewear is nowadays, your marketing strategy must highlight how your store’s merchandise stands out from the rest.
Opening up your eye store may prove to have its challenges. But with correct planning and business decisions, you can soon ride the waves of profit of this field’s commercial value in the long run. And while you are helping your customers to see better, you too will see an even brighter future in the eyewear industry.