MEMBER FOCUS: Innovation for Independents
Earlier this year, CAO interviewed Dr. Patrick Sauvageau, a Quebec optometrist who has created a new offering for Canadian ODs. What Dr. Sauvageau illustrates is that optometrists have and can continue to adapt to a changing health and retail environment. We need not be afraid of change but rather jump on board. We do not need the retail eyewear giants to have successful thriving practices.
Mission: Develop technological tools to support business growth for independent optometry clinics.
Description: Opfront.ca offers digital tools to independent optometrists so they can reach their full commercial potential by setting up integrated online stores that showcases in-store inventory.
Tell me about yourself.
My name is Patrick Sauvageau. I am an optometrist and graduated from the Université de Montréal in 2010. I co-own three independent optometry offices in Québec and Montréal, and I am the co-founder and President of Opfront Technologies.
Describe your company, Opfront.ca
We provide independent optometry clinics with a turnkey solution for an online store perfectly aligned with their physical in-store inventory. It is truly a virtual extension of their actual place of business. Our goal is to enable independent optometrists to take the online sales market by storm. To achieve this, we offer an integrated solution with an online store as well as an attractive, user-friendly website.
In addition to me as the optometrist, our team is made up of software engineers, web developers, advertisers and graphic designers.
Why did you decide to create this online platform for independent optometrists?
Several years ago, I noticed a growing number of eye glasses e-commerce sites appearing in the market. In my opinion, those websites have many significant weaknesses: approximate measuring, no advice or assistance in the buying process, unsatisfactory system for virtual try-ons, no after-sales service, low quality products, and many more. I feel that it’s imperative for independent optometrists to be able to meet their customers’ new needs, such as being able to shop in the comfort of their home at any time of day and receive the same service quality as they would in store. That is why Opfront.ca’s purpose is to develop technological tools to support business growth for independent optometry clinics.
Do you think that optometrists are ready for your product?
The response from optometrists has already surpassed our expectations. We immediately noticed that the optometric community perceives online sales of optical product as a true concern.
For those who don’t know, it’s important to understand that, in Canada, like elsewhere in North America, online purchasing is growing fast. In 2015, over 80% of Canadian Internet users made at least one purchase online and that number jumps to 95% for the 18-34 age group. [2] E-commerce is growing five times faster than retail, and online shopping is expected to continue to grow in popularity over the next years. [4] In 2014, the country’s online sales totaled $505 million. [5] Canadians also seem to have gotten into the habit of seeking and comparing products online before going to buy them in store. 9 out of 10 Internet users consult websites before going into a store and online window-shopping is growing even faster than online sales.[4] Companies now have a duty to offer an active online presence.
Could you explain how it works?
In short, the platform becomes the independent clinic’s online extension of its store, open 24/7, showcasing its own inventory, brand, colours, banners on display. Opfront.ca offers eyecare professionnals an online, attractive and easy to use way to stay connected with their patients. We carefully designed the product keeping in mind that the services offered there must provide the same level of quality as a traditional clinic does.
In the eyes of a consumer, the platform is a beautiful and easy to use e-commerce platform that inspires confidence and professionalism where one can browse through the whole clinic inventory and reserve up to 3 frames for in-store fitting. Moreover, the platform offers a set of tools to users that will help them to find the perfect optical product, just like an eyecare professional would do in store. If they want, the platform can keep them up-to-date with new arrivals and the hottest trends in optical fashion.
Opfront.ca offers an admin panel where one can select which products are displayed. Critical information about clients, their needs and browsing habits is gathered and compiled into a variety of comprehensive advice and analytic data. This enables professionals to gain in-depth knowledge of their clientele and adjust to their ever changing needs and significantly improves the tool’s performance and benefits. We guarantee confidentiality and integrity of patient information.
Do optometrists need to have a good understanding of how websites work in order to use your product?
Not at all. Ours is an easy-to-use, turnkey solution.
Is this service hard to manage?
No. When a clinic decides to roll out this tool, Opfront looks after training the staff.
Is this meant to replace in-store service?
No. This is really a complementary service. The product is designed to improve the customer experience both in store and online.
How do you think patients will react?
We expect a very positive response from them. With this tool, we are addressing a growing demand to make optical products shopping more user-friendly, without sacrificing professionalism or security.
Do you have a message for optometrists?
All industries need to adjust to the reality of online sales. Optometric clinics need to provide an innovative online offering that meets their customers’ needs and provides a great customer experience. Otherwise, they will have to watch their customers make their purchases elsewhere. [6] The time has come to make our mark on the online sales market. Opfront.ca provides a carefully designed product by optometrists, for optometrists.
What is next for Opfront.ca?
We are constantly working on improving our product to create more opportunities for optometry clinics and patients. As a sneak peek we soon plan to incorporate a collection of artificial intelligence algorithms that learns from customers’ actions to better recommend products of interest. In the long term, we aim to develop a range of tools—from measurement to analysis and customer loyalty— to help independent optometrists gain control of the optical market.