Win an Eye Test & a Pair of Prescription Glasses from Optique Optometrist Valued at R2,599!
Getting a new pair of glasses should be as simple as ordering a cup of coffee. This is why the team at Optique Optometrist continually strive to make eye care more accessible and easier to understand. They make going to the optometrist interesting, exciting, and professional, and their goal is to keep it that way!
They’ve cleverly developed a brand image and concept that is easily accessible, affordable, and unique in its offerings. And, the great news is, Optique Optometrist has just opened a flagship store in Cape Town’s Foreshore!
Want to know more? We caught up with Leon van Vuuren, CEO and Founder of Optique, who tells us more about their exciting new store in Cape Town:
What makes this new Cape Town store the one to visit?
Leon van Vuuren: To start with, we have an in-house Costa Coffee bar with a barista to serve you while you wait for your appointment. Costa Coffee is the second-largest coffee chain globally after Starbucks. It has over 4,000 retail outlets in 30+ countries with highly trained baristas, coffee vending operations, and serving coffee from Costa’s state-of-the-art roasters.
What makes the Cape the perfect target area for your brand and corporate image?
LvN: The branch is at the bottom of the Absa building in the business district of Cape Town. Right where the bus route, taxis, and train station come together. We love this as we are an everyday man’s brand, and our passion is to serve all South Africans.
What goes into opening a store like Optique – how long does it take from conception to completion?
LvN: This has definitely been the most challenging store to open, as months of planning went into the design, layout, and approval from the landlord and city council. The practice forms part of the Absa building, which went under multi-billion Rand renovation over the past couple of years. Being a concept store, we wanted it to be perfect and provide our customers with the famous Optique experience.
With only 5 stores in Gauteng, how do you compete in an ever-growing and demanding market?
LvN: We turned four years old in October 2021 and did not set out to be more than just one or two practices, but the support from South Africans has been overwhelming. As long as there is a need for what we offer, we will continue to grow. We hope to inspire our industry by joining us to make eye care more affordable to a more significant portion of South Africa.
Your brand image stands for colour, vibrancy, and welcoming nature – is that the look and feel you were going for?
LvN: Optique means “Optical” in French, a collective noun describing what we do as Optometrists. We chose this as our name as we want to come back to the basics of our industry, to measure vision and correct it by means of lenses (as we feel our industry has lost its way with buy-one, get-one deals and pushing sales). Our logo also aligns with this principle. It is a group of prisms/triangles representing the first thing you learn at school regarding optics. When white light moves through a prism, it breaks up into the seven colours of the rainbow, where we get the inspiration of our colourful branding, representing the diversity of South Africa which we embrace.
With over 22 stores in Gauteng, Western Cape, and the Free State, where are you looking to branch out next?
LvN: We recently opened stores in Kuilsrivier and Tokai (both in the Cape Town region). The demand for our offering continues to grow in Gauteng where we hope to expand in the near future.
Optique Optometrists, a proudly South African organisation are doing things differently when it comes to eye care and eye health!
When it comes to South African demand for eye care, it can be considered quite unique, as 75% of people cannot afford proper eye care which is quite alarming. According to research, the average price of an eye test in South Africa is R550; therefore, if you earn R7500, per month, you are part of the top 10% wealthiest people. This means even then, to get your eyes tested, you have to pay 7% of your salary just to find out the status of your eye health. This is what inspired Leon, the CEO of Optique, to provide a radical alternative solution to South Africans and make eye care accessible by offering a fixed “famous eye test” price of R99 for everyone.
Whether it glasses, contact lenses or simply an eye health check-up, Optique is your one-stop shop for all your eye care needs.
The new Optique Cape Town flagship store can be found at Shop 10B, Foreshore Building 2A Riebeek Street, Cape Town
Book online today at https://optique.co.za
***WIN!***
WomenStuff has teamed up with Optique Optometrists to give one lucky reader an incredible prize! Enter now to stand the chance to win an Optique Optometrists experience valued at R2,599! The prize includes 1 x free eye test, plus 1 x free pair of prescription glasses (frame and lenses!), valued at R2599.00. To be redeemed at the new Cape Town Branch, or any branch nationwide.
To enter, simply complete the entry form below:
One entry per person, please. Competition ends on Friday 19 November 2021 at midnight. Please read our full competition terms and conditions here.