Cecop convinces British independent opticians
In a market like the UK’s, where independent opticians do not account for more than 49% of the sector’s global billings, even though they represent 66% of the total, the Cecop formula was greeted with curiosity and enthusiasm by vision professionals, an interest that was confirmed also at Optrafair, the UK’s main trade event in the sector.
Held April 3 through 6 in Birmingham, the fair was an extraordinary opportunity for Cecop to present the wide range of services it offers its members. From all over the country, numerous professionals looking for contacts and opportunities responded to the project with interest. It is an innovative formula in the UK buying scenario and Cecop is the only group that offers excellent buying conditions, marketing and communication services and rewards members by returning 3% of their purchases at year end.
“With its long experience in different countries, Cecop has again demonstrated the appropriateness of a philosophy that rewards freedom and management autonomy for independent opticians and, at the same time, its intrinsic flexibility ensures that the Cecop project can be adapted to the specific characteristics of each market”, commented Cecop managing director Jorge Rubio. “The experience our group has acquired over the years shows that, currently, associations are essential for the survival of independent opticians. On the one hand, being part of a buying group enables vision professionals who want management autonomy to dialogue effectively with the main players in the sector because they have access to the best buying conditions; on the other hand, the possibility of being able to access numerous marketing and communication services provides tools that they would not have otherwise because of lack of time or resources”.
Referring to Cecop’s growth in the United Kingdom, Rubio said: “Cecop entered the UK market with the aim of offering independent opticians a new option for coping with competition from the chains with a different formula that rewards initiative, offers effective tools and does not jeopardize freedom of management. Our point of view is that professionals must keep their positioning as opticians who offer attentive, top-quality service and opt for the best brands of frames, lenses and contactology so that, in their patients’ mind, they continue to be a reference point for vision healthcare”.
