Independents can get an insight into how to compete against the multiples at a dedicated one-day conference in Birmingham next year.
It will be one of the subjects at independents' business support group Sight Care's annual conference on March 6 at Birmingham's Hilton Metropole Hotel.
The yearly information resource for smaller practitioners, which is always well attended, will be themed 'De-regulated thinking'.
The event, which includes a pre-conference dinner the night before, has attracted several well-known names to address delegates.
Key note speaker, Dr Steve Wood, who is a lecturer in retail management at the University of Surrey, will talk on 'Successful trading next to multiples: comparisons and lessons from other retail sectors'.
His presentation will show that the pressure on optical independents from bigger retailers is not unique, and Dr Wood will analyse the challenges supermarkets and multiples pose, and crucially review approaches in other retail markets on ways to differentiate an outlet's offer.
Other speakers include optometrist Simon Browning on 'GOS - opportunity or threat?', Professor Mo Jalie speaking on 'Lens materials for the 21st century' and boss of research company CWR, Catherine Warwick, on 'Converting patient opinion into profit'.
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