You are among the newcomers as a retailer. What is your strategy when competing with established stores in your location?
We do not compete with any of our colleagues. The important thing is to be aware that we, as colleagues, will understand each other’s problems the best, and to continue our business properly in respect and love. Instead of applying our strategies to our colleagues, we apply them to move ourselves forward by seeking answers to questions such as ‘how can we provide better service?’ ‘How can we better meet the demands of our patients?’. I wish all my colleagues abundant earnings in a fair way, without resorting to irregular means, being aware that we are friends.
You sell Rainbow brand lenses. Which one has high sales. Eyeglasses or contact lenses?
Rainbow brand contact lenses are, of course, our first favorite and the name of our store. Based on my experience, I try to give the right information about contact lenses to the customers who come to our store in the best way. I am honored to correct the known mistakes about this subject. Glasses and contact lenses are like our children. We are happy to offer the sale of both according to the demand of our customers. This is a difficult question because it is a matter of preference. We offer the most suitable option to our patients in line with supply and demand.
What do you think is the most important problem of the sector and what are your ideas for solving it?
When I think of the sector’s problems, I can think of only two issues. The first is the disputes arising from the advanced competition of optics in the same location. The second one is the referrals made by the doctors working in the hospitals in the location. Both problems are interconnected. Unfortunately, I see that while we are friends with a pharmacy next to us, we are like enemies with our own colleague with the optics in our neighborhood. This issue bothers me a lot. However, we all have the same goal. We all work overtime for this sector. We should think that an urgent product or information deficiency in my store can be completed by my optician colleague, not another workplace near me. We should always be tolerant to each other. We should be supportive. The second problem is a bleeding wound that I have struggled with a lot and never changed. Doctors should do their duty, the patient should go to the optical store of his/her choice and receive service from the place he/she is satisfied with. There is a ‘commercial concern’ in the guidance of the institution or doctor to whom our patients entrust their eye health. The patient should make the best decision for his/her health and budget and should not be directed.
Do you follow international fairs closely?
We participate in all fairs organized abroad, including Turkey, every year. We think that fairs are very productive for the sectors and we benefit a lot from this. First of all, seeing the products and brands exhibited in fairs and expanding our horizons provides us with a lot of knowledge in our business life. Meeting with our colleagues at home and abroad, chatting with them, refreshing what we do not know or misinformation always benefits us in our business life. For this reason, we do not miss any optical fair as much as possible, we create the necessary time and participate.
What are your thoughts and feelings about the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair that took place last November?
Silmo Istanbul is a source of pride for us. This fair, which takes place every year and hosts many participants from various countries of the world, is the only example that we are successful as all those who work for the sector. Following this, it is a tremendous event that we are all together as a sector, as all friends, and that we are united even if it is for four days a year. As someone who attends Silmo Istanbul every year both as an exhibitor and a visitor, I can say with peace of mind that it is an organization that guides us and makes us feel at home. Thanks to Silmo Istanbul, instead of traveling all over Turkey, we can easily access all the products we are looking for or not looking for, know or don’t know. The fair lightens the burden on us and strengthens our relationships. I recommend all my colleagues to visit Silmo Istanbul and I hope to see them among us.
As a retailer, how would you evaluate the transition of 4 your eyes optical magazine, which has once again signed the sectoral innovation, to Digital Publication?
I believe that being the only one in your field as 4 your eyes magazine and including digital on the path you have always followed with the same stability will add more to your success. I wish you continued success and I am proud to do this interview with you. May our existence and unity continue. I greet you and all your readers with love and wish that our success will continue in unity.
March 2023
