“I’M SICK AND tired of this outdated place” or “I’m investing to drive sales growth so my business is worth more when I sell it” are reasons some ODs give for renovating their stores, says Bill Gerber, Founder + CEO, OMG!, which specializes in redesigning optical stores. “We’ve put a lot of energy into quantifying the ROI of remodels,” he explains. “Our findings … confirm a four-year sustained increase at a minimum of 20-25% per year. Typically, a practice that invests $200k in a remodel will see their return on investment [in] year one.” Enhancements include updated interiors, interactive engagement tools, and 24/7 coverage. Benefits to using AI, like RingiQ, include payroll savings and better customer service.
OMG! Optical Marketing Group
OMG! designs and outfits optical retail stores whether it’s a remodel, expansion, or new location. Here’s a before and after of Advanced Eyecare in Amarillo, TX. OMG! also does custom displays and digital merchandizing.
omghome.net | (978) 712-0664
ABS, Inc.
Smart Mirror 4 Pro is a contactless dispensing tool that can take digital measurements on an iPad using the LIDAR scanner. It offers 3D lens simulations to manufacture lenses according to the needs of patients. It also helps patients visualize themselves in their chosen frames.
acep.tech | (888) 989-4227
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Optisource
OptiSource offers a catalogue of supplies on its site and includes a variety of frame displays including this invisible display. 1-800-
optisource.com | (800) 678-4768
VSP Optics Group
Visionworks’ revamped scheduling tool, supported by Eyefinity, has a mobile-friendly interface. It enables real-time scheduling and appointment confirmation either through email or text. Patients can schedule an appointment in seven clicks or less and directly import their appointment into an online calendar or add it to an Apple Wallet.
eyefinity.com | (855) 874- 8508
RingiQ
Machine learning teaches the RingiQ operator office hours, insurance, appointment times, booking policies, and availability. It works with Microsoft/OpenAi to keep up with ChatGPT 3, 3.5, 4, 4-Turbo, and now 4-Omni. This allows for 24/7 coverage by answering calls that are multi-lingual, emergency, urgent, appointment, and service.
ringiq.ai | (832) 661-4760
Smart Ways to Do a Retail Refresh
Matthew Greene, OD Clara Vista Eyecare in Montgomery, TX, and Urban Optics in College Station, TX
After 11 years we needed to expand our primary business and felt that adding a med spa could be a good addition. We immediately found a location next door with more square footage located next to a medical weight loss and exercise business so we completed the building with a complimentary health and wellness type business. We now have six rooms (with three history rooms) to have three doctors working full-time and an additional option for med spa services where we do our dry eye treatments. It was worth the investment because the cost of not making changes can be even larger. We’ve created efficiencies that make our patients’ visits quicker while giving them better care. Business is up 14% this year in sales on a 6% increase in patient numbers.
Jennifer Block Training Supervisor
Henry Ford OptimEyes Super Vision Center
Troy, MI
Our customer engagement tool is Acep’s Smart Mirror. We implemented it in 2016 when we replaced our pupillometers and manual measuring tools. Smart Mirror is a software program on an iPad that produces precise digital frame measurements, lens fitting heights, and position of wear measurements by taking a picture of the selected frame on the patient’s face. A huge feature is its lens demonstrator which allows patients to see the visual benefits of a no glare, photochromic, or polarized lens. Smart Mirror provides customization for your preferred lens portfolio with a description of each lens and the type of lens at the click of a button. It’s a great training tool for new opticians. When we began to use Smart Mirror our remakes were at 13%. Within 18 months, our remakes dropped to 7%. Patients have more comfort and trust in us for using it.
