Feb. 4-10
FINANCES If your fiscal year ends in December, you should have your financial statements finalized by Feb. 29. Make an appointment to see your CPA.
MERCHANDISING Create a display of sunglass or fashion frame options that fall into the $100 to $500 range and promote it to attract those tax rebate dollars that start pouring in from March through May. Most households are expected to spend in the range of $100 to $300, which just happens to be the sweet spot for popular sunwear.
Feb. 11-17
CLIENTELING Share the love. Send Valentine’s cards to your customers with a simple message: Enjoy the day!
INVENTORY Buying season is on the way (Vision Expo East starts March 15). It’s time to take a hard look at your inventory. Drill down into your data (brand performance, price points, markdowns) to weed out underperformers and identify any new category trends. Set targets and support plans for your emerging inventory stars.
Advertisement
Feb. 18-24
IN STORE In the calm that is often late February, take a good look around: Is it time for a “face lift?” If your optical is more than three years old, it is probably looking tired. If it is more than five years old, chances are at least some of your decor elements are starting to look dated or shabby. No need to break the bank—a coat of paint, a new photo wall, new carpet. “Look for areas that can make a big impact for a relatively small investment,” says interior designer Ruth Mellergaard of GRID3.
LEGAL Get your legal ducks in a row for 2024. If you don’t already have one, contact your attorney — or hire one — for a template “cease and desist” letter you can have ready to go if a disgruntled former employee or customer begins to unfairly bash you on social media.
Feb. 25-Mar. 3
TRAINING Lifestyle questions create an opportunity to offer products — specifically second pairs — that will result in outsized benefits on the things patients spend their spare hours doing. They just need to be made aware. Order in a round of artisan coffees — we’re talking lifestyle after all — and invite your staff to brainstorm ways to introduce outside interests into the sales conversation.
OPERATIONS If you’ve ever wasted time scrounging around for a specific nose-pad, replacement part, or screw it’s time to get your backroom organized. Purchase a small storage unit and go overboard with a label maker. Make sure your opticians and other staff appreciate the importance of keeping everything in order.
Advertisement