RANCHO CORDOVA, CA – VSP Global enters brick-and-mortar retail with the opening of its first two Eyeconic stores in the country.
The stores are located in Chicago. They will serve as an extension of VSP’s ecommerce site, “connecting products, services and a VSP network doctor to retail-minded consumers who are looking for experiences that bridge the divide between digital and physical,” according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to bring the very first Eyeconic stores to Chicago and offer customers a differentiated eye care and eyewear experience,” said Bill Vaughan, president of VSP Retail. “Transparent prices and seamless digital and physical retail access are the cornerstones of our brand. And in partnership with a Doctor of Optometry, we now offer comprehensive eye exams using state-of-the-art technology to ensure eye health and wellness remains the focal point of our customer journey.”
As previously announced, VSP chose to launch the Eyeconic stores in Chicago “based on higher out-of-network claims the company was seeing at optical chains and mass retailers in the city.” VSP Vision Care is the nation’s largest not-for-profit vision benefits company and covers one in four people in the U.S., the release explains.
The first store, located at 1647 North Damen Ave., opened to the public on June 15 and will host a grand opening celebration on June 29. The second store, located at 916 W. Randolph St., will open to the public on July 13 and host a grand opening celebration on July 27.
“A strategic, wholly owned retail footprint helps meet client expectations and contributes to a healthy and competitive network,” said Michael Guyette, president and CEO of VSP Global. “By reducing out-of-network leakage, we also ensure members in Chicago are getting the most value out of their benefits — particularly those who fall into the 20 percent of consumers who prefer mass retail and online-based eyewear stores over private practice. This also opens new employment opportunities for VSP network doctors who desire to practice full-scope optometry in a retail setting.”
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Each Eyeconic store will feature a selection of about 500 men’s, women’s and kids’ frames from over 30 brands. The stores will also offer all major brands of contact lenses.
Patients can schedule eye exams online and browse eyewear before coming in to see a VSP network doctor.
“As we conducted research, we identified a unique, uncommitted consumer who is looking for simplified shopping, transparency and convenience when it comes to their eye care and eyewear-buying experience,” said Vaughan. “We are building the Eyeconic brand to meet the needs of discerning customers. That includes many residents in Chicago’s dense urban market of about 2.7 million people, where over 400,000 VSP members live and work today.”
Eyeconic stores are considered in network for most VSP, Cigna and MetLife members. Eyeconic also accepts private pay and most other vision insurance plans as an out-of-network option.
