How to Benefit From Big Player Mergers for the Independent Optician
Alliance Boots’ merger of its opticians arm with Dollond & Aitchison will create an optical giant, but what is the view of the competition?
This leviathon is unlikely to integrate easily, it is therefore a great opportunity for the competition to grab disenchanted customers
The Management of both Specsavers and Vision Express believe that there are opportunities rather than obstacles created by this merger. Bringing two organisations together will inevitably result in rationalisation which undoubtedly will result in customer fallout. These are customers who will be looking for another provider in their locality. The question is whether this fallout will be swept up by the major competitors or the local independents.
The great advantage the independents have at this time is the opportunity for focussed personal service, for preparing themselves for this market. However, in order to play effectively in this field, they need at least to present as well as their “big boy” competitors. What does this take?
Observe the investment that Vision Express, Specsavers, Boots and D&A have made into quality fitting out and you have much of the answer. Their profits are rooted in the investment they have made in making fine presentation of their brand and offering.
Demonstrations of this can be seen in the profit results for 2008 from quality market leaders Vision Express who show profits up from 15.6m to 18.4m
Despite difficult conditions the retailer is still hoping to open a minimum of 11 stores to add to its 329-shop portfolio and will consider additional acquisitions “if they are the right deals”.
All the indications are that the major players continue to see growth opportunities and continue to be set for expansion.
Likewise for the independent Optician or small group there are significant potential opportunities. Particularly for those who have the “Vision” to take advantage of the current environment. This is a key time for using quality shopfitting solutions to update and steal a march on the competition.
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