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October 18, 2021October 18, 2021

Safilo NA Launches Newly Designed MySafilo B2B Website for US and Canadian Optical Customers

Safilo North America announces the launch of its newly designed U.S. and Canadian B2B website for optical customers. Completely redesigned with an inviting home page filled with brand visuals and videos encompassing the full Safilo North America portfolio, this new sales platform is now live. Operating now as www.mysafilo.com, the site can be accessed by both U.S. and Canadian customers with the latter having the ability to conduct business in English or French once the country is selected from the home page.

Designed as part of an ongoing company-wide customer-centric digital transformation strategy, the modern new design of the website is a one-stop order engine for Safilo’s North America portfolio of licensed and proprietary brands.

The new home page enables one to instantaneously view and experience each of Safilo’s North American frame collections prior to logging in which was previously a password-protected feature.

Numerous upgrades have been implemented to improve the user experience throughout the site including an easier interface to filter and browse products, a simplified return process, streamlined access to previous orders as well as videos on manufacturing, design and brands for a truly immersive Safilo product experience. The highly successful Live Chat feature, first added in 2020, will continue to appear on the newly designed site.

All existing mysafilo.com and mysafilocanada.com customers will need to re-register for the new website if they haven’t already done so.

“We’re excited to strengthen our partnership with our U.S. and Canadian customers by updating and further modernizing our online B2B capabilities to better serve their needs. We expect the newly enhanced platform to further elevate the user experience for our customers and make it even easier to conduct business with us. We also hope to appeal and entice new customers who now have the ability to browse our product portfolio online which wasn’t previously possible,” said Steve Wright, president and chief commercial officer of Safilo North America.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021

COVID-19’s Impact on Vision Loss Across Canada

The Addendum to the Cost of Vision Loss and Blindness in Canada Report (“the Report) estimates 1,437 Canadians lost vision due to delayed eye examinations and delayed treatment in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge Canadian patients and the health care system. Almost all optometrists’ offices were closed during the first lockdown from March to June 2020, with most offices restricting capacity for the rest of 2020. There were close to three million fewer optometry visits in 2020 compared to 2019, which put millions of Canadians at serious risk of losing vision.

Vision loss in Canada is increasing.

There were 335,000 fewer (47% decrease) eye surgeries performed across Canada between March and June of 2020.
An estimated 1,437 people lost vision due to delayed eye examinations and treatments in 2020.

The short and long-term cost brought on by the pandemic goes well into 2023.

It is expected to take two years to clear the additional backlog of cataract surgeries caused by the pandemic.
Between 2021 and 2023, it is estimated that an additional $129 million per year will be required to clear the backlog.

The cost of vision loss in Canada goes well-beyond the health care system.

An increase in wait times for surgery will result in a $1.3 billion increase in the cost of vision health over the next two and a half years.
Though $253.3 million of these costs are direct health care system costs, $1.1 billion result from the loss of well-being.

All Canadians living with eye diseases were impacted by COVID-19. Some had their diagnosis delayed, potentially missing or delaying an opportunity to receive treatment to stabilize their disease. Others were delayed in receiving counselling and support to assist in dealing with the mental, physical and social effects of vision loss.

“We need to make eye health and rehabilitation services a population health priority. It is critical for Canadians to have access to treatment and receive an early diagnosis,” says Louise Gillis, immediate past president, Canadian Council of the Blind. “Research shows that three-quarters of causes of vision loss in Canada are preventable, treatable, or reversible. The delays in treatment, and the backlog of appointments, has and will, continue to create long-term impacts on vision health in Canada.”

“COVID-19 has, and continues to, affect every Canadian. This report shows the unnecessary impact of COVID-19 on the over 8 million Canadians who are living with a blinding eye disease that puts them at significant risk of going blind. We are calling for a National Vision Health Plan because it would have reduced people losing vision today and in the future.” says Doug Earle, President & CEO, Fighting Blindness Canada.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 14, 2021October 13, 2021

Marchon and Lacoste Renew Exclusive Eyewear Licensing Agreement

Marchon Eyewear and Lacoste, the French fashion sport brand, announced the long-term, multi-year renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement.

This agreement is for the exclusive design, development, production, and distribution of ophthalmic and sunglass collections under the Lacoste brand. This renewal confirms the strong alliance between the two companies since Marchon and Lacoste first engaged as licensing partners in 2011. Over the years eyewear has not only grown alongside its parent brand’s successful trajectory, but also been increasingly involved in Lacoste’s partnerships and special projects, such as the launch of the Novak Djokovic and Roland Garros eyewear collections and the sponsoring of The Miami Open and Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournaments.

“We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding and successful partnership with Lacoste,” said Nicola Zotta, President & CEO of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. “Lacoste represents a core pillar of our global Lifestyle portfolio, and we are confident that our teams will continue to create eyewear offerings that drives the Lacoste business forward.”

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Marchon, with whom we succeeded in developing strong collections in line with Lacoste’s DNA,” said Catherine Spindler, Chief Brand Officer of Lacoste. “Eyewear is an important category for our brand, which perfectly complements the Lacoste silhouette in terms of style, innovation and creativity. We have great ambitions in this category, where our fashion sport brand has a lot of potential.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

Specsavers Reveals Canadian Entry Strategy

Today Specsavers announced its intention to become a Canadian market leader by opening more than 200 locally owned stores in the country by 2024.

The company will start by launching 16 stores in British Columbia over the next six months, including two in November 2021 (Woodgrove Centre, Nanaimo, BC and Coquitlam Centre , Coquitlam, BC). The fourteen additional openings across BC will be completed by March 2022.

Specsavers informed Optik that the 16 stores are a rebrand of the Image Optometry stores acquired earlier this year. These stores are all local owner-operated in a franchise partnership.

“We’re looking forward to showing Canadians the value of our tried-and-true business model that has allowed us to deliver on our promise of accessibility for customers for 37 years and counting,” said Bill Moir, General Manager, Specsavers Canada. “By creating business ownership opportunities for independent optometrists, Specsavers is able to build a network that is represented in rural and urban locations and can structure operations in a way that generates high value for both optometrists and customers. Together, we will transform eye health for Canadians.”

Specsavers is a UK-based organization and is known widely in in Europe, including UK, and in Australia and New Zealand for its affordable and high-quality products and clinical expertise, according to the company. “With the goal of redefining accessible eyecare for Canadians, Specsavers is focused on bringing value-driven prescription eyewear paired with inclusive clinical care, advanced equipment, and unrivaled network of professional expertise to deliver best-in class service every day. “

The company further announced that, “All Specsavers stores are owner-operated under a franchise partnership model that helps optometrists focus on delivering the best eyecare possible, while providing them with the benefits of a global, integrated supply chain with facilities across Asia, UK, Australia, Eastern Europe and North America.”

Optik had previously reported the acquisition of IMAGE optometry locations in British Columbia.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

My Vision Show Announces Rewind, Opens Doors to All Exhibitors

My Vision Show has announced the first My Vision Show Rewind, a three-day virtual event November 19 – 21, 2021.

“My Vision Show Rewind” will highlight the independent brands, and a select few content creators, who participated in the show throughout the year.

A new interactive optical and eye care trade show, “Global Vision Fair 3D”, the first 3D will also announce its dates during My Vision Show Rewind and will provide a sneak preview to all visitors.

My Vision Show has been gaining national attention from the eyewear community, optometric communities, and the trade show industry at large for hosting an unparalleled virtual, and hybrid, experience.

While, in the past, My Vision Show was only open to the independent segment of the industry, the show’s founder, Charlene Nichols, agreed that it is time to be more inclusive by inviting everyone to participate.

The decision comes after many requests from past attendees to include various beloved brands that do not fall into the independent category.

“Although our attendees are primarily from the independent segment, their voices have been clear that a diverse mix of brands is required to run a functional business and we recognize the need for all brands to be present so these business owners can make informed decisions based on their practice needs,” says Nichols. This will, for the first time, allow brands from all sectors of the industry to participate in the show starting 2022.

While the show is committed to being inclusive of all brands, My Vision Show will remain steadfast in its mission to focus on solutions geared towards independent eyecare businesses.

Independent brands who currently partner with My Vision Show have also voiced their support for the change citing a larger potential audience and the ability to showcase alongside larger brands as a bonus to their participation.

The Rewind will be free for attendees and will include raffles, scavenger hunts, and prizes to celebrate another year of My Vision Show.

Click HERE for the full press release.