Ex-D&A man fronts mobile online offer

A former Dollond & Aitchison franchisee has agreed to run the UK version of a mobile eye care business targeting large corporate clients.

Dispensing optician David Cregor will oversee Specslab.co.uk in Britain, which claims it offers dispensing opticians and optometrists the opportunity to operate their own virtual practice with start-up cost from £5,000.

Optician reported on the British launch of the Specslab in December, when the online spectacles business owned by a Dubai-based group promised to give the multiples 'a run for their money' in terms of pricing, and a potential earning capacity of up to £120,000.
Now there appears to be a significant emphasis on the company attracting corporate eye care business.

Cregor, who is UK master licensee, said he envisaged Specslab as 'an online retailer run by professionals' and is encouraging particularly younger optometrists and dispensing opticians who want to run their own business to join.

'It's an easy way for young people to ease their way into business ownership. It's an opportunity to give them their first taste of owning their own business without the hassles of overheads, rent, and staff, but with loads of stock.'

Cregor said being a franchisee gives young professionals an opportunity to own a practice and earn 'favourable returns'.
'Having been an optical franchisee myself, I have first hand experience of their operational needs and I'm confident about building successful individual franchised businesses and growing Specslab.co.uk into a major outlet.'

Specslab is offering 30 territories each with populations of two million people each, and all of these areas are being offered to potential franchisees. Around 20 people have shown an interest so far, and Cregor claims that Specslab are about to sign up 'two huge corporate names'.

Currently Specslab is in the process of acquiring mobile testing rooms to be used by those franchisees who invest £45,000 but initially the business will concentrate on selling a £15,000 dispensing package.