ALSUN OPTİK
Follows the Trends
I think that Silmo Istanbul has made a great contribution in terms of raising awareness in the sector and the growth of the sector by bringing together all segments of suppliers, retailers and employees.
Hello Mr. Ufuk. First of all, could you introduce yourself a little bit and tell us about how your path crossed with the optical sector?
Hello Mr. Ufuk. I was born in 2000 in Alanya. I completed my primary, secondary and high school education at TED Alanya College and Yaşam Tasarım Educational Institution. I graduated as an Optician from Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane, the most established university in the health sector in Turkey, the current name of the University of Health Sciences. Since I had a dream of product marketing and branding since a young age, I decided to operate in this sector. Another factor is that my family serves in the health sector and sunglasses are a necessity in our region, especially in summer. Since the optical sector goes in parallel with sectors such as fashion and magazine, the opportunity to offer imported brands excited me even more. I entered this sector to improve myself in this field and to serve our country and the region we live in.
Could you tell us about the establishment phase of Alsun Optik?
In 2021, after graduating, I started working in a corporate optical company in order to develop myself in this sector and experience the big city spirit and corporate identity. In this process, I had the opportunity to improve myself by receiving many trainings such as glass companies, frame companies, contact lenses and product marketing, product support. As a result of these trainings, I first worked as a senior optician and then as an assistant manager in the company I worked for in a short time. As a result of my experiences and observations in this process, I provided the same service to our customers in our Alanya.
What are the most popular brands of optical and sunglasses sold in your store?
There are many imported and domestic collections in parallel with fashion in our store. In addition to this, we provide service by combining the brands that have been in fashion in recent years, which our guests frequently demand, with technology. The brands we sell the most in sunglasses and optical glasses are popular brands such as Prada, Miu Miu, Burberry, Kilian. I can say that having a product option for every taste and style is very important for us both in terms of customer satisfaction and to increase our competitiveness in the sector. Due to our position, I think that increasing our domestic and foreign customer volume, expanding our loyal customer volume and maintaining our quality-oriented line will contribute to our country in terms of economic and development.
Designer brands have become very popular in recent years. Do you also receive demand from your customers in this direction?
Yes, designer brands are in demand from our customers. Since we are in the age of technology, we can instantly access any information on the internet from seven to seventy. Since our sector moves in parallel with fashion, designer brands and collections are very popular. Since we supply trend products and current products in our store, we have a high level of customer satisfaction.
What are your after sales services?
The basic procedure of our company and our uncompromising principle is to ensure one hundred percent customer satisfaction. In line with this principle, elements such as the warranty process and product follow-up in the orders prepared for our guests and after the order, as well as storing information in line with customer confidentiality, are among the most indispensable after-sales boards for us as Alsun Optik.
How do you inform your customers about changes and campaigns in your store?
We inform our local and foreign guests about the changes and campaigns in our store in different languages, social media, local newspapers, posters in certain regions and local organizations. In addition, we also share our new collections with professional shots and advertising elements on our social media accounts. We utilize all possible means of communication because we attach great importance to keeping our customers’ bond with Alsun Optik strong at all times.
Are in-sector sales and training briefings sufficient? Do you organize training programs for your store employees?
Since we are in the health sector, I believe that marketing the right product to the right person with the right information is the golden rule. If we convey the right information to our guests and present their choices in parallel, it will be a plus point for us in terms of customer satisfaction. Among this information, trainings on eye health and the products we sell are of course very important. I and my team work sensitively on this issue. We receive trainings about products from both glass companies and frame companies, and we attach importance to attending conferences.
Street stores or being located in a shopping mall? What is your preference and what are the reasons?
First of all, if I need to give an example from our own store, I can say that our store location and décor are as important as the service we offer and customer satisfaction. This decision should be based on the demand and shopping habits of the audience in your region. Our store is located in one of the oldest streets of Alanya and in a location with many shopping opportunities. Our preference was the street location. In the future, we plan to branch out in shopping centers in different regions with the same service and product stock.
As one of the retailers, what are your views on the price competition between you and your colleagues?
The market is moving in parallel with the current exchange rate and inflation. Accordingly, the competitive pressure is increasing considerably. Our advantage is our large product stock and high service quality. For this reason, we have the advantage of long-term customer loyalty and continuous service to our foreign guests. Since our product stock is diversified based on the needs of the customer and we combine service with technology, our competitiveness is one step ahead. We aim to make this process continuous with our campaigns and advertising power.
Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
Of course, each fair means new information for us. I think that domestic and international fairs have a great contribution to sectoral development in terms of the opportunity to closely examine new creations, product diversity and brand diversity. I believe that conveying the right information to the end user in line with the information we obtain at the fairs will increase our service volume and provide customer continuity.
How would you evaluate the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which will be held for the 11th time between November 20-23 this year, since its inception?
We have been participating in Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair for three years. Silmo Istanbul is very important for us in terms of establishing new business contacts and providing opportunities to examine new creations. I think Silmo Istanbul has a great contribution in terms of raising awareness and growth in the sector by bringing together all segments of suppliers, retailers and employees.
Thank you very much for this precious interview. Finally, could you tell us your comments on the transition of our magazine 4 your eyes to digital publishing?
Thank you for including us in this valuable interview. Due to today’s technology, I think that 4 your eyes will reach more masses in the digital environment and will be a light for our colleagues who are new to the sector. I wish you continued success.
August 2024