ADVERTISING - Opticians Association of Canada

| EDITORIAL |Paddy KamenEditor-in-chief1.888.661.0404|Retail is evolving. We’re in the age of “power centers”and “super centers”, but we’re also in the age of trendycity streets with funky used clothing shops (who wouldhave thought that “used” would be “in”?), hip restaurantsand high-fashion eyewear retailers. We’ve seenchains that specialize in bagels, wraps (the kind youeat), hosiery and bikinis and we’ve also seen a rise inthe one-stop-shop where you can buy milk, socks andgarden tools as well as get your eyes examined!Is there a place for everyone? Lorne Kashin thinksso. The president of the Canadian Opticians Associationobserves that many people are happy to shop at chains,while others prefer to do business with their local independentoptician. As the proud owner of one store –The Eyeglass Factory – in Toronto, Kashin has enjoyedbuilding a clientele around personalized service. “After30 years in business I’m now fitting glasses on thegrandchildren of my first customers. I’m also noticingadult clients bringing in their elderly parents. It’s verysatisfying to build these long-standing relationships.”Some ECPs will be well suited for employment atWal-Mart Optical, New Look or any of a number of otherlarge chains. Some will want to work for the owner offour-to-ten stores who prides himself on the fact thateach store serves its neighbourhood as if it were anindependent (like Bruce Van Leeuwen of Crown Optical)and others still will have the drive and desire to opena practice of their own where they can specialize inone-on-one service to a select or general clientele.If anyone can predict where the market will go overthe next ten years then that person may end up wealthy.But the market evolves and individual entrepreneursand corporations try different things – some of themthrive and others don’t. As Robert Grimard, proud ownerof four stores in Quebec says, “Those who deserve tobe in business because they have professionalism anda true entrepreneurial bent will succeed.”And speaking of success, Breton Communicationsand the OAC are pleased to announce the creation of anew optical magazine for French readers. La Revue isthe first French Canadian publication for the opticalprofessions, created for French speakers across thecountry. La Revue will address and respond tocultural realities within the French-speaking eyecarecommunities. If you would like to subscribe to this freepublication, please contact Breton Communications byemail at: yvonne@bretoncom.com.Thank you for sharing your time with us. ISI6VISION | jul_aug | 2007