I guess being on Oxford Street was no different to the rest of the country this summer.
Blink and you missed it! Our terrible summer seems to have driven more tourists than ever to the shops and that has included opticians.
Visitors to this country often take advantage of our private eye examinations, our optometrists in the UK being recognised as some of the best in the world. Until you experience an eye examination abroad, you do not appreciate the fantastic service and care delivered in the UK. My trainee DOrecently returned from a wonderful holiday in Albania and she was shocked at the really basic examination she observed one of her relatives receive. So it is not surprising that visitors to this country value our expertise so highly.
The Olympics are just around the corner(although you may feel that four years is a long time,but Christmas is already upon us in Oxford Street, and it feels like only yesterday that we were taking down the Christmas decorations!). Consequently,the usual high level of tourists will increase dramatically for this period.
I am very excited about the Olympics coming to London, and a little apprehensive too. I know the congestion will increase and I am certainly not looking forward to the journey to work. Once here I believe the footfall will also increase into the store itself. Hopefully, my team and I will be able to help the new customers that come in. However, I would really appreciate some support from our contact lens manufacturers in getting the message across to the rest of the world of the different regulations that control the purchase of contact lenses in this country.
The current level of customers wanting to buy lenses off-the-shelf is already high, and my team spend a lot of time explaining the requirements necessary. If possible we will see the customer for a new eye examination and fitting which costs the customer both time and money. Most don't understand why it is so different here compared to home. I believe our suppliers that are worldwide have a great opportunity to educate their overseas customers. This would ensure both happy customers and increased sales.
So, over to Johnson &Johnson, who better to help than an Olympic sponsor?