Moneo writes: Negotiate properly or lose our revenue stream for good

Talking to colleagues recently I have become aware that more of them know of patients buying their spectacles from online suppliers. I also noted the other night while watching television that a mainstream television series was sponsored by one such online company. Providing this sponsorship suggests their revenue streams can’t be bad. I also note the regular adverts from these companies on commercial TV channels.

All this demonstrates that, while market penetration may currently be small, there is an inexorable move by the consumer to source ever cheaper spectacles from online sellers. It would appear this move by consumers to purchase their spectacles from sources other than the high street optometrist will only increase in the months and years ahead. Such a move presents a serious challenge to optometry as a whole.