In a move seen as a potential industry disruption, powerhouse pharmacy Chemist Warehouse opened its first Optometrist Warehouse in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern today.
Optometry industry veteran Peter Larsen – a former Specsavers executive – is the managing director of the fledgling chain.
all eye care services (including clinical technology) are bulk-billed, meaning patients have no out-of-pocket expenses
Peter Larsen
In a media release announcing the store opening, Optometrist Warehouse said it would provide bulk-billed advanced eye care services, employing hospital grade clinical technology designed to assist with the early detection of eye conditions that often lead to vision loss.
Optometrist Warehouse said bringing together pharmacists and optometrists would enable “a more complete, 360-degree approach to healthcare” with a mission to “deliver the most comprehensive health service in optometry, lead the detection of eye disease for all Australians and improve outcomes for customers”.
“At Optometrist Warehouse, all eye care services (including clinical technology) are bulk-billed, meaning patients have no out-of-pocket expenses whatsoever. The focus is on a professional and high-quality service offering that is accessible and affordable for all,” the statement said.
Mr Larsen said that Optometrist Warehouse would focus on “broad-based patient health as well as eye wellness, working hand-in-hand with our pharmacy colleagues”.
“In each community we serve, the highest quality care will be delivered by our optometrists together with extraordinary value in prescription eyewear.”
Optometrist Warehouse will sell frames from Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Kendall & Kylie Jenner, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Jimmy Choo, and Rag & Bone. Its house brand will be San Paolo.
Initial expansion plans include the opening of a handful of stores in 2023, followed by a mass network rollout.
