Do you have products from every group in your stores?
Yes, we do. We have the motto of accessibility and sustainability in the corporate identity of our brand. Galaxy Optik stores have product bars and ranges that appeal to every age, budget and segment group, and our most important feature will be to always have the products that our customers demand or will demand in our stocks or to supply them quickly and deliver them to all points in Turkey.

What are the most popular optical and sunglasses brands sold in your stores?
I can say that Prada, Tom Ford and Vycoz brands are very popular in sunglasses. In optical glasses, Silhouette, Yves Saint Laurent and Cartier stand out among the brands we sell the most.

How do you choose the optical and sunglasses brands you sell?
First of all, reliability and recognition are the most important factors for us. The service we want to provide to the customer is both an accessory that suits their style and a quality that will prioritize their health. We choose our brands based on these two issues.

Designer brands are very popular in recent years. Do you also receive requests from your customers in this direction?
I can honestly say no. Galaxy Optik is generally followed by cult and fashion followers, but there is no guarantee that this demand will not come tomorrow. As a brand, we closely follow the current designer works.

What are your after sales services?
First of all, we have established the infrastructure of our brand with the corporate system in all steps from the establishment stage of our brand. Without opening our stores, we have established our infrastructure to control the stock, Customer Crm tracking, campaign plans and fictions, creation of customer segmentation data, healthy control of all Kpi data in our stores and then to use them effectively in customer service, and we have trained our friends who will use and manage these systems by including them in the team. Currently, we are able to meet all the demands of all our after-sales customers during their first or subsequent store visits, as we determine all their needs, from Warranty Coverage, product availability to customer habits, with the system we have established.

What role do you think the showcase layout and interior design of an optical store plays in sales? What did you pay attention to while preparing these elements in your new location?
The world conjuncture is now completely based on visuals. Social life, commercial life, etc. The more attention is paid to these visual themes, the more the sense of empathy with the customers is brought to the forefront and the visual sequences that will touch these emotions are prepared, the supply and demand will always provide an upward acceleration at the same equal value.

While we have brought these issues to the forefront, we have designed our brand color options and in-store positioning based on the slogan “Beauty in Simplicity”. We welcome our customers in our stores with elegance in simplicity, far from confusion.

How would you evaluate the 10th Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which is being held for the 10th time with its new and larger service area?
First of all, I would like to say that the development in our market makes us very happy. Our momentum in the optical sector at the point of supply and service is improving every year. We were able to observe this change very clearly at this year’s Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair. I consider the mutual increase in need and service and most importantly, the fact that we are more integrated into the foreign market every year as very positive, especially for our country’s trade.

Thank you very much for this valuable interview. Finally, could we learn your comments on the transition of our magazine 4 your eyes to digital publishing?
I think it is a very positive step for you to catch the time and trend. Information is spreading very fast in this period, and a contrary flow of information unfortunately gets old at the same speed and degenerates before reaching the necessary places and those concerned. Therefore, I am sure that it will carry your awareness and publishing brand even further. I wish success to your team.

December 2023

How do you choose the brands of optics and sunglasses you sell?
We prioritize the demands of our existing customers and the availability of new iconic models. While we prefer classic models for our middle-aged customers, for our young and potential customers we prefer models with more vibrant colors and more iconic designs. Therefore, our brand choices are also formed in this direction. The main reason for our choices is brand awareness and production quality.
Designer brands are very popular in recent years. Do you also receive requests from your customers in this direction?
Although the popularity of designer brands has increased in recent years, we approach this issue with some caution. Because the shape and color of a pair of glasses are as important as their fit and their compatibility with the anatomical structures of the nose and behind the ears of the customers. We do not approve of a designer brand that has become popular with its abundant sharing strategies on social media but has a single-axis production. In addition to this, brands that rise rapidly on social media channels and lose their demand within 1-2 years are in the second plan for us.
What are your after sales services?
We continue to support our customers after sales. Especially during the sale, we advise our customers to come to us at certain intervals to eliminate deformations in the eyeglass frames that may occur in the future due to personal use. In addition to our spare parts support, we also offer services for the repair and maintenance of defective eyeglass frames, even if they did not buy them from us.
What role do you think the window layout and interior design of an optical store plays in sales? What did you pay attention to while preparing these elements in your new location?
In my opinion, the interior design and showcase of a store reflects the spirit of that company and its perspective on the customer. Therefore, the customer profile also forms and develops in this direction. As a company, we preferred to emphasize the differences to protect our brand integrity rather than adaptation to our location. As I mentioned before, we prioritize being sales-oriented due to our brand reputation. When we were discussing the new store design with our architect, I wanted only one thing: I wanted to see a concept of London Harrods in this store. Our architect also developed a different strategy based on the fact that we are an old company. As a result of this, I think we have brought a different interpretation to the classical optician concept consisting of white shelves with uniform, yellow led lights. Since we moved to our store, we have been receiving very, very positive comments and feedback from our local and especially foreign customers.
How would you evaluate Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which will be held for the 10th time with its new and larger service area, from the beginning to today?
Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair is really a very important organization. Unfortunately, our sector has a structure with different groupings that are not well organized today. At this point, Silmo Istanbul is an important platform that brings together all opticians in Turkey through suppliers. In addition to being informed about developments of abroad, it is a source of benefit and happiness to exchange ideas with colleagues from different provinces that you meet during booth visits.
Thank you very much for this valuable interview. Finally, could you tell us your comments on the transition of our magazine 4 youreyes to digital publishing?
It is an important project that needs to happen today, that needs to be analyzed very precisely and its continuity needs to be ensured. I believe that digital publication will be very useful for 4 your eyes magazine to reach more audiences and renew itself. In this way, I think that the opticianry profession and the eyewear sector will have a structure that can be measured and planned data collection with technical market research.

November 2023

What are your after sales services?
Depending on the customer’s request, our glasses are sold in our store in the best and healthy way with the right products guaranteed. After-sales repair, adjustment and maintenance products are free of charge. We also provide free adjustment repair service even if the customer has bought a product from another optic. We offer the right to cancel the return up to 15 days if the product he bought does not fit him.

How do you inform your customers about changes and campaigns in your store?
We have an active Instagram account. Also, our store does not make its discounts according to the season. We sell the product on the label at the beginning of the summer season and do not discount it at the end of the season. We think this is unfair to our customers. Think of it like this, you buy an X brand at the label price, you come back 3 months later and the product you bought is on sale for half the price. This situation creates sadness and regret in the customer. That’s why we always apply the maximum discount we can make at the end of the season. This makes us preferred in our region. Also, our website will be launched after the new year. Additional discounts special for the first user, sales close to the cost of the products left over from a few seasons ago will enable us to reach people more easily.

What role do you think the window layout and interior design of an optical store play in sales? What did you consider when preparing these elements?
The showcase of a store gives the whole impression about that store. You first look at the showcase and if you like it, you go inside. This is the same in every sector. If you don’t like the showcase, if you don’t find it of good quality, you won’t be curious about the inside of a store. I display products in the showcase that are clean, easy to choose, will arouse curiosity and make the customer go inside. We have a bright store where each brand has its own place in the interior design. The customer should be able to easily choose the brand and model they want. It is important for the customer to be able to easily see what they are trying on in the mirrors at the point of movement in terms of comfort and saving time. In addition, since the continuation of the brands are exhibited in the drawers under the brands of the stands, it is easy and comfortable to choose in that order.

As someone who serves in the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of eyeglasses and who has a duty?
I have been serving in this sector for twenty years and I see that people still use glasses unconsciously, although not as much as before. Someone who cannot read near can say that they can read with my mother’s father’s glasses without any examination. Or someone who is bored with glasses wants to wear contact lenses by heart, and contact lenses are never sold in our store without a prescription. As an optician, I convey the necessary information to my customers about the disadvantages of this. There are also sunglasses bought from clothing stores or the market because they are cheap. Of course, I often share the damage they cause to the eye on our Instagram account. One thing I have noticed is that the misuse of glasses in the old times has decreased nowadays. I think the advancement of technology and social media providing accurate information has reduced this rate a lot.

Now, the awareness of getting comfortable vision and using a healthy product with the right product at the right time is widespread, not just because it is fashionable or to look more beautiful. Social media is the right address to emphasize the accuracy and importance of this in terms of health.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
It is very important to have information for the upcoming season at fairs abroad. We follow them closely. At least we can follow the trends about what we will sell in the season. In addition, the sector is developing very fast. We can learn about new lenses, coatings, new trend brands and developments in contact lenses at fairs.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair?
I have been following Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair with excitement for years. In addition to the new season products, I enjoy meeting with my colleagues in such an area, chatting, discussing the development of our profession and doing this hosted by Silmo Istanbul.

Could we learn your opinions about 4 your eyes, which started to be published in digitally?
Your magazine 4 your eyes is the first source of information that I have been reading and reviewing with pleasure in our store for years and sometimes the first source of information that I learn about a missing information. Now that it is on social media and digital media, it allows me to access it more easily. Thanks to you, I can follow the sectoral innovations and reach the information of my new colleagues and their stores.

October 2023

How do you inform your customers about changes and campaigns in your store?
Today, people prefer to access information about your store via the internet and social media. We think that advertising and correct expression are important in these channels and we attach importance to this issue. We also inform our customers from time to time with the optical program we use and SMS.

As a retailer, what are your views on the price competition between you and your colleagues?
When you value your customers and find the right product with a proper explanation, your customers will not look for other places. Eyewear business is a business of trust. People should trust you. The customer can catch this with your stance, your expression and the atmosphere of your store. I am always busy with the question of how I can make my store better. I do not follow the price policy of the stores near me. When you do your job right, people do not look for other places.

As someone who serves the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of eyeglasses and who has a duty?
Although eye surgeries have increased with the developing technology, I think that the use of prescription glasses will continue regardless. Today, sales of sunglasses have increased with laser surgeries and this is a positive development for us. However, if we make people love glasses by giving them beautiful glasses and aesthetic designs, we can turn them away from the desire to have laser surgery. I think that if we adopt the view that glasses are not only a means of vision but also an accessory as all colleagues, we can sell more than one pair of glasses to our customers with this awareness. Lens companies should organize seminars in hospitals and eye polyclinics to inform ophthalmologists about the developing technology. I believe this will make a positive contribution to our profession.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
We had the chance to visit the Mido fair in Milan among the fairs abroad. We will participate in fairs abroad again. Silmo Paris visit is also in our plans. I think fairs are very useful to see sectoral developments closely. I especially recommend every colleague to visit all the fairs.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair held between December 17-20, 2022?
This valuable fair held in our country took place with a nice intensity. The sector came together for four days with the fair atmosphere that everyone missed. Silmo Istanbul offers an ideal opportunity to see many brands and products together. It also offers the chance to meet and chat with our colleagues and many professionals again. We look forward to coming together again at Silmo Istanbul 2023.

Could we learn your views on 4 your eyes, which started to be published digitally as of 2023?
Although we are a little sad that we cannot bring 4 your eyes magazine, which we have been looking forward to coming to our stores every month for years, together with our customers during their shopping, it is very important and pleasing for us that your magazine reaches a wider audience thanks to digital publication. Thank you for your quality news, efforts and this interview.

September 2023

How do you inform your customers about changes and campaigns in your store?
We are an active brand on social media. Sometimes we share special day campaigns with our customers on our pages and via SMS.

What role do you think the window layout and interior design of an optical store play in sales? What did you pay attention to while preparing these elements?
We try to display every product that is wanted, wanted to be seen and wondered. We organize our shelves in such a way that our guests can easily try and leave them. In this way, we ensure that they can easily access the products they like and make their shopping comfortable and enjoyable.

As a retailer, what are your views on the price competition between you and your colleagues?
In terms of pricing, we are in favor of offering quality service without reducing the value of the products in the market conditions by complying with the sales prices recommended by the companies. There is also such an issue that the prices we hear from customers and see on the internet unfortunately upset us. In order to prevent this, I think that companies should apply sanctions on this issue. In other words, a product should be sold according to its value. The factor that distinguishes us from our competitors is our service quality.

As someone who serves in the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of glasses and who has a duty?
I observe that the awareness of eyeglasses is increasing day by day. While we used to tell only us, it is very promising to see that there are now conscious users who know what they want. As opticians, we need to explain the lens features to our customers without getting bored. We should recommend glasses and lenses according to the purpose of the user.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
We went to all the fairs after the pandemic. During our travels abroad at different times, observing what kind of products people outside our country prefer made important contributions to our vision and we developed our collections accordingly. Following every new development was both enjoyable and opened our horizons.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair held between December 17-20, 2022?
It was a very enjoyable fair. We were at Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair as Taşkın Gözlük Galerisi Optik. It was a full fair for us. Since we have many world brands in our store, we had the opportunity to visit the stands of boutique brands with much different designs and lines. We made agreements with new brands and added them to our organization. In 2023, we heard that the exhibition area will be built in a bigger area, and we think this is a very right decision. Since there is a lot of interest in Silmo Istanbul, we are very pleased to hear that the area will be expanded. We think that the fair will be even more beautiful in the coming years. We look forward to discovering new models and brands.

What are your views on 4 your eyes, which started to be broadcast digitally in 2023?
We are in the age of communication and using digital platforms to make use of this is a very right choice. It will be much more efficient to reach more than certain age groups. We believe that the service you offer to our sector is really valuable. As Taşkın Gözlük Galerisi Optik, we would like to thank 4 your eyes family and wish you continued success.

August 2023

Designer brands are very popular in recent years. Do you also receive this kind of demand from your customers?
We have a great deal of foreign customers in our region and our foreign customers do not show much demand for designer brands. However I have customers who demand designer brands. That is why we closely follow the products of designer brands and try to keep them in our store, although not in large numbers.

What are your after sales services?
After-sales service is as important as sales for us. While selling, we inform every customer about after-sales, we care and help all problems from the smallest to the biggest.

How do you inform your customers about the changes and campaigns in your store?
We inform our customers about our campaigns through our social media accounts and the brochures, which we hang in the store. These methods are enough for our customers to be aware of the innovations and campaigns in our store.

What role do you think the showcase layout and interior design of an optical store plays in sales? What did you consider when preparing these elements?
The showcase is the summary of a store, it should give information about the interior. It should be revised according to the season, special occasions and at certain intervals. In this direction, we attach great importance to the decoration of our showcase.

As a retailer, what are your views on the price competition between you and your colleagues?
Almost all companies share the selling prices of the products with us. I think it is necessary to make sales by paying attention to this. As Akdere Optik, we approach this issue very sensitively. There is also such an issue that the prices we hear from customers and the prices we see on the internet unfortunately upset us. In order to prevent this, I wish companies to impose sanctions on this issue.

As someone who serves in the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of eyeglasses and who has a duty?

I observe that the awareness of glasses is increasing day by day. It is very promising to see that there are now conscious users who know what they want, while in the past only we used to tell them. As opticians, we need to explain the properties of glasses without getting bored and we should recommend glasses and glasses according to the purpose.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
Yes, we follow them closely and are interested in them. We see sectoral developments, technological innovations, trends, the latest collections of world brands and all innovations through these fairs and we get excited about our profession.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which took place between December 17-20, 2022?
As one of the optical industry professionals, I was very delighted to have the chance to shop in a very crowded and exciting atmosphere once more when I attended Silmo Istanbul’s 2022 edition. We are looking forward to the 2023 edition, which will celebrate the tenth anniversary of this wonderful event that brings retailers together with other professionals.

What are your views on 4 your eyes, which will be published digitally as of 2023?
I think it is a very good and logical decision to keep up with the times. Now every issue of 4 your eyes is just a click away. I realize that I read the magazine in much more detail after your transition to digital publication. Thank you for the interview and I wish you exponential success.

July 2023

How do you choose the brands of optical and sunglasses you sell?
In optical glasses, we choose products that people will be satisfied with their ergonomic design in accordance with fashion. We keep the latest creations in sunglasses in our store.

Designer brands are very popular in recent years. Do you also receive demand from your customers in this direction?
In the constantly renewing and developing information age, we have to constantly renew and develop. Therefore, we are in contact with designer brands and respond to the demands of our customers. We are also very happy by satisfying our customers who are bored with classic models and want different designs.

What are your after sales services?
What is important for us is our after-sales service rather than making sales. We help all our customers, whether they buy products from our store or not, with after-sales. While doing this, we try to do it in the shortest term. One of our goals is to make all our customers who come to our store happy, not to say ‘no’, and to think empathetically.

How do you inform your customers about changes and campaigns in your store?
We regularly organize campaigns on special occasions in our store. We organize special events especially on our anniversaries. We increase our target audience by using the power of social media and other digital platforms. We deliver information about our campaigns and events to our customers through social media and our automation program.

What role do you think the window layout and interior design of an optical store play in sales? What did you pay attention to while preparing these elements?
We offer our customers an idea about our store by presenting models from simple but latest creations in our showcase layout, as well as using digital visuals. In this way, our customers prefer our store by knowing and seeing which brands and product groups are available in our store. We also constantly update our products in interior design according to the season. Since the region we are in is a summer region, we mostly feature sunglasses in the interior during the summer months. Therefore, while preparing our showcases, we act according to brands, product groups and seasonal season. This reflects positively on our sales.

As a retailer, what are your views on the price competition between you and your colleagues?
In terms of pricing, we are in favor of offering quality service without reducing the value of the products in the market conditions by complying with the sales prices recommended by the companies. In other words, a product should be sold according to its value. The factor that distinguishes us from our competitors is our service quality.

As someone who serves in the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of eyeglasses and who has a duty?
First of all, we think that optometry education should be available in our country. Because adults should have an eye examination once a year and children every six months. Unfortunately, they have to postpone this due to economic conditions and lack of physicians. The gradual increase in our population, the insufficient number of hospitals and physicians, and the fact that private hospitals and private practices see this situation as purely commercial harms the health sector. We are very sensitive about informing all our customers who come to our store about the awareness of using glasses and we wish all our colleagues to do the same. Because the more this awareness develops, the more our sector will develop.  In addition, since we are in the health sector, we wish more work to be done on the inspection of products and the sale of products on the internet.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
Of course we do. We follow all optical fairs both in Turkey and abroad and we take care to attend them. In this way, we follow the latest products, the latest technologies and constantly update our store accordingly.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which took place between December 17-20, 2022?
I think Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair is a great chance for our sector. Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which took place between December 17-20, 2022, was very good with both wholesaler and retailer participation rate and made very good contributions to the sector in general and to us in particular. I hope it will continue to develop and grow.

Could we learn your views on 4 your eyes, which started to be published in digital media as of 2023?
With the development of digital technology in every field, I think this is a very positive step. Thus, 4 your eyes can be accessed by everyone, not just those in the industry. At the same time, I think you are making a great contribution to sustainability technology, I support you and wish you continued success.

June 2023

How do you choose the optical and sunglasses brands you sell?
We try to choose the products that will please people the most with their ergonomic design in optical glasses. In sunglasses, we try to stay up to date by keeping the most trendy products among fashion brands in our stock.

Designer brands are very popular in recent years. Do you also receive requests from your customers in this direction?
Yes, we experience that people’s preferences change over the years. Designer brands are quite popular. We understand that people get bored with classic models and turn to new and different design glasses and we are happy to serve them with many designer brands and models. In today’s information age, which is renewed in every sense, unfortunately, those who cannot keep up with the change are one step behind.

What are your after sales services?
Making sales is an issue that everyone is successful. But unfortunately, regardless of the sector in our country, the success rate in after-sales services is low. Businesses that want to protect and retain their own customer base should attach more importance to after-sales service than sales to their customers. This is the issue we are most sensitive to by empathizing. Our customers should never leave our store unhappy. Our first goal is to accept that there is no such thing as nothing and to make all our customers happy regardless of the subject.

How do you inform your customers about changes and campaigns in your store?
We regularly create campaigns on special occasions in our store. At the same time, we offer a cocktail and music recital in May every year with the traditional ‘Hello Summer’ slogan. We inform our valued customers about these campaigns and events through the computer program we use and social media.

What role do you think the showcase layout and interior design of an optical store plays in sales? What did you pay attention to while preparing these elements?
You need to ask yourself the following question to create an easy perspective and interior design where people can spend the most time: If it were me, what would be the first place that catches my eye when I enter the store? Where would be the crucial aisle in the store that would catch my attention first? My suggestion to the stores where the old understanding continues should be that we are one of the nations with a strong visual memory. Since we are a society focused on watching in general, instead of keeping crowded stock in our showcases, we can benefit from digital visual works with simple, few but impressive models.

As one of the retailers, what are your views on the price competition between you and your colleagues?
We stay away from the concept of being expensive in terms of price. We understand that products should be at optimum prices that can compensate for our quality services. A product should neither be too affordable nor too expensive. If you pay attention, even when you buy a phone from the marketplace, there are no extreme price differences. We keep the prices at the average of the market prices and we are in favor of being preferred with our own service quality and effective services. Everyone pays a price, but one idea that I think is effective because of our location is that if you want to buy a quality product, you want to buy it with the best service. And that’s what we are most assertive about across the country is our quality service.

As someone who serves in the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of eyeglasses and who has a role to play?
I think that optometry, which is widespread throughout the world, should also operate in our country. Unfortunately, since most eye hospitals consider our sector as commercial, the trust of the lower-middle class people is broken and the examination periods are prolonged. In connection with the country’s economy, people who usually change their glasses once a year have to do it a little longer. I think that social service guarantees should be increased and people should be encouraged to have more frequent eye examinations and shopping.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
Of course, in order not to be deprived of the most up-to-date products and information, I follow the developments related to our sector by constantly participating in optical fairs in order to keep us up-to-date like digital devices and technology.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair held between December 17-20, 2022?
We had a great fair again. We realized that there was a great participation rate. When one attends Silmo Istanbul, one cannot understand how time passes and therefore feels the need to visit every day. I believe that the continuity of Silmo Istanbul will make great contributions to our sector.

Could we learn your views on 4 your eyes, which started to be published in digital media as of 2023?
People have adapted to the digital world. Digital environments have become a part of our lives regardless of age. For this reason, I support your digital presence for faster access and wish you continued success.

May 2023

Designer brands are very popular in recent years. Do you also receive requests from your customers in this direction?
We are constantly following designer brands closely. Since eyewear is in demand as an accessory as well as a necessity, in order to offer both together, we include the products of boutique brands that offer more original models in our store as well as worldwide designer brands that have proven themselves with their quality and design.

What are your after sales services?
As Kılıç Optik family, we aim for excellence in after-sales services. In accordance with our mission, we are always working to be indispensable for our customers with our after-sales services.

Street stores or being located in a shopping mall? What is your preference and what are the reasons?
We can better observe the diversity and intensity of our customer portfolio in high street stores. In this respect, we think that street stores have a more genuine potential. Being in a location that is easily accessible by our customers has always been our priority.

As someone who serves in the sector, what do you think about the rate and awareness of eyeglass use in our country? What can be done to increase the use of eyeglasses and who has a role to play?
The culture of using eyeglasses in our country has just started to settle. While more qualified glasses are used more widely and consciously in Europe, this situation is a little different in our country. Considering that one in every three children has a visual defect, we think that eye examinations should be performed at an early age and at more frequent intervals. Parents should be more conscious about this issue. Explaining to our customers the importance of eye health and the problems and diseases that may occur in their eyes if they do not use them in detail and informing them about the quality of glasses and lenses they should use depending on the condition of their eyes will encourage them to use glasses. This task falls to our doctors and us, the optical establishments, before anyone else.

Is the sales and training information provided within the sector sufficient? Do you organize training programs for your store employees?
It cannot be said that it is sufficient. Theoretically, we think that we are lacking in today’s developing technology. We support our employees to participate in online training programs and improve themselves.

Do you follow international optical fairs and sectoral developments abroad?
We closely follow international optical fairs and developments on the internet and social media. Because we think that fairs are of great importance for us to observe brands, collections, products, latest technologies and the latest trends.

What are your opinions and evaluations about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair held between November 17-20, 2022?
It was a very enjoyable fair. As Kılıç Optik, we participated in Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair. It was a full fair for us. Since we have many world brands in our store, we had the opportunity to visit the stands of boutique brands with much different designs and lines. We made agreements with new brands and incorporated them to our organization. In 2023, we heard that the exhibition area will be built in a bigger area, and we think this is a very right decision. Since there is a lot of interest in Silmo Istanbul, we are glad to hear that the area will be expanded. We think the fair will get better and better in the coming years and we look forward to discovering new models and brands.

What are your views on 4 your eyes, which started to be published digitally as 2023?
We have been following your magazine with interest for years and find it very successful.  Thanks to you, we have the opportunity to discover the developments in the sector, eyewear fashion and trends soon. We think it is absolutely the right decision to go digital. Publishing your magazine in digital media will make it more accessible in today’s world. The service you provide to our sector is really valuable. As Kılıç Optik, we thank 4 your eyes family and wish you continued success.

April 2023

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