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Low for asx200==2010===4313.90===7pm project Big Issue
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Date Posted: 13/10/10 18:45:27
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Eyes tested Wednesday October 13th==285 low
's message, "BIG W Vision ===pay deposit for glasses 14/10/2010==then on order." on 13/10/10 18:43:10
Big W enters eyes glasses war From: The Courier-Mail August 25, 2007 12:00AM Increase Text SizeDecrease Text SizePrint
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GAZING into people's eyes will soon become an occupational hazard at Big W.
The discount retailer is to launch Big W Vision stores in Brisbane by November, after a successful trial of the concept in South Australia.
Optical business development manager Mark Jeffery says the stores at Chermside, Strathpine, Carindale and Capalaba are to open as soon as they find people to run them.
"We need optometrists and experienced optical staff," Jeffery says.
"Those staff have to have worked in an optical store before, know how to interpret lens prescriptions and know about fitting the right frame to people's faces. Different frames do suit different face shapes."
He says working at a glasses shop requires the unique knowledge mix of science and fashion.
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"There is no registration of optical staff. There used to be but now that has been deregulated," Jeffrey says.
"What we tend to find in optical stores are people who have formal dispensing qualifications - that's the science part - who have learnt the fashion side on the job.
"Some other workers are people with a fashion background who have worked in optical stores to learn the science side of the job.
"The stores themselves have a mix of people, too, so some staff may be more involved in the prescription side and others are better helping people to choose frames."
The optical business is a highly competitive one, with most major shopping centres sporting more than one glasses shop.
At Chermside shopping centre, for example, Big W Vision is to go head-to-head with six other optometrists including OPSM and The Optical Superstore.
Jeffery says the eye testing services are generally covered by Medicare and Big W is to keep the industry standard of bulk billing.
"On the product side of things, the frames and lenses, we will do just like Big W generally does and use our catchphrase 'everyday low prices'," Jeffrey says.
"We are going to have a mix of frames. There will be the brands people know: Vera Wang, Trent Nathan, Elle, Esprit."
Finding enough staff could be a challenge. Demand for optometrists is high, while retail staff rank as second-in-most-demand in national official vacancy rates.
"Availability of optometrists is generally pretty tough and I know that's not just me experiencing that," Jeffrey says.
"Finding the right people is the key to this because, for us, the important thing is customer service.
"I have a good feel for what the market (wage) rates are but the important thing is to get the right people.
"From an optometrist's point of view, this is a small venture but it's growing and it's exciting, because it means opportunity that will come around quickly.
"We are focusing on setting up a positive working group, a team environment and they would be part of a large organisation.
"They would get the Big W discount card.
"Because this is a new, developing business, there is the luxury of new equipment; the latest in computer systems so staff can get the satisfaction of using the latest and the greatest," he says.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/big-w-enters-eyes-glasses-war/story-e6frfm1i-1111114253171#ixzz12MMyqUuP
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