It’s December. Can you believe it’s almost the end of the year? And what a year it has been. There’s a lot of talk about Australia’s two speed economy and by all accounts optical retailers have been impacted.
While the ABS indicated that seasonally adjusted figures showed retail spending increased in September, it doesn’t feel like it when you wander the shops. But, we’ve come this far and most of us have developed and implemented new strategies for growth. It might not be as fast as it was a decade ago but with every challenge there is an opportunity. We just need to look for it.
For us, here at mivision, 2012 has been a year of consolidation. Our CAB audit distribution of 7,265 ensures mivision is received by everyone who works in eye care and eyewear in Australia and New Zealand, and online we’re averaging more than 9,000 unique visitors a month. Our distance learning centre has proved an invaluable resource with over 1,000 optometrists completing our CPD modules in the month of October. That equates to nearly 25 per cent of all optometrists in Australia.
In our 2012 survey of the optical industry last month, the statistics highlighted the growth of buying groups in Australia, so in this issue we dissect the offerings available from each of the protagonists a little more.
In our 2012 survey of the optical industry last month, the statistics highlighted the growth of buying groups in Australia, so in this issue we dissect the offerings available from each of the protagonists a little more…
Each of the five buying groups has a unique and varied business model, to help independent optometrists maintain quality eye care services while competing against the corporates. But who should you go with? We take a look at what’s on offer.
We’ve just come out of a very busy ‘conference season’ with three highlights being the ICCLC and Eyecare Plus Conferences held in Sydney and the ProVision Conference at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast. These facilitated an open exchange of research and business development ideas for the future, as well of course, as opportunities to network and socialise with colleagues. We’ve reviewed each of the conferences in this issue.
And, in a special feature, we focus on the much-neglected area of low vision services. Already around 300,000 people in Australia, across all ages, live with low vision. Faced with an ageing population, the numbers are only going to increase. We look at how optometrists can work with ophthalmologists and low vision service providers to help people maintain independence and quality of life.
As we head into Christmas, we showcase a selection of art works created by people with low vision and curated for the 2013 Vision Australia calendar. It’s for sale along with Christmas cards and more, to raise funds for the essential low vision services the organisation provides. What a great way to support people in the community you care for.
Thank you to you, our readers, contributors and advertisers, for helping mivision bring you the latest news, stories and educational articles, every issue. We wish you all the very best for the busy festive season and for a prosperous year in 2013.
In the meantime, steal some time to enjoy this edition.
Contents:
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minews: All the latest news from mivision December 2012. Click here |
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mistory: Buying for the Benefits: As an independent optical retailer it must feel overwhelming trying to compete on price and marketing against the optical Goliaths of Luxottica and Specsavers. Click here… |
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mifeature: Artists Showcase the Year Ahead: Vision Australia will celebrate the work of 12 artists, who are blind or have low vision, by showcasing their artistic creations in the 2013 Vision Australia calendar. Click here… |
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mifeature: Low Vision Opportunities after Diagnosis: Politicians, statisticians and marketers, the world over, are contemplating the impact of an ageing population. Eye care professionals are doing the same. Read more… |
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mioptometry: All the latest optometry reports from December 2012. Click here… |
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miview: Look Out, Here Comes Christmas: Christmas is a time for retail, a time for return, a time for redemption no matter what your beliefs or travel plans. Read more… |
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mifashion: Maui Jim: take a look at Maui Jim’s latest summer fashion trends! Read more… |
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mifashion: Rx-able Sunglasses: When the World Health Organisation (WHO) came out in 2011 and classified UV radiation as a class one carcinogen – the highest rating carcinogen that can be given, it was hardly a surprise. Read more… |
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mifashionnews: All the latest fashion news from December 2012. Click here… |
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mibusiness: Taking Stock of Your Profits: Many businesses have more than half a million dollars tied up in stock. Managed properly, it could be the key to unleashing your practice’s profits. Read more… |
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miequipment: Optimising Lens Thickness with Frame Data: To achieve the thinnest, most comfortable spectacle lenses within the fastest time, it is important to supply the laboratory with the actual spectacle frame. Read more… |
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mievent: Out of Sight ICCLC 2012: over 30 international and local speakers delivered presentations at the official conference of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA) in October. Read more… |
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mievent: Eyecare Plus Delegates Learn Change Learn: energy levels reinvigorated at the Eyecare Plus Conference held at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney in October. Read more… |
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mievent: Silmo: Inspiring, Exhausting, Enlightening… and so very French: a mission to seek out eyewear with an edge, to scour Silmo for design trends, to speak with leading optical innovators and the world’s top designers and find the “next big thing”. Read more… |
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midiary: Make sure you are aware of all the upcoming events this year! Click here… |
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miclassifieds: Looking for a new practice? Looking for a new job? Looking for equipment? Find all of this here. Click here… |
