Barnes Design: Optical Shopfitters
Previous clients.
Below is a listing of previous clients that Barnes Design have worked with to create new and exciting opticians displays. Click on the pictures below to go to the individual client's page. On each client's page you can see details of the project along with pictures of the finished high-quality product that we as specialist optical shopfitters strive to provide.
Fitting out a Practice
Most practices lease their refurbishments today; an average practise fit is less than two good dispensings per week. I think we give our clients the edge, one of the major features of having a refit is the closure time. We at Barnes Design employ all our own staff minimising any possibilities of delays. It usually takes a week to two weeks and a company like Barnes Design to install it.
At one time it was a general opinion of some opticians that they gave a professional service but unfortunately had to dispense frames, those times have past.
An optician can spend a fortune on the latest technology for their test room. However it may take time to recoup the costs on word of mouth recommendations, whereas a refit would normally generate new customer flow from completion, then it is up to the professionalism of the staff to retain them as a client.
Small Practices
A small practice can take as long as a large practice to fit out. And certainly take as long to plan, as they want to minimise furniture but maximise storage which can be a challenge.
Clever storage solutions are needed for smaller practices; we build cupboards and storage space into unusual places.
Colour schemes can make a vast difference; use of lighter colours can make the space appear larger as oppose to darker colours that condense the space. Ceilings can also make a practice look larger or smaller, so we must consider the possibilities.
Trends
The continental look
- Solid floors
- Metal bars
- Curved reception desks
Although very attractive, modern and inexpensive it lacks the convenience of storage and the ability to display the different values of the frames.
All our clients view themselves differently, so what suits one client may not suit another. Something we always say to our clients is 'see it through your customer's eyes' because that's who keep the business going, if they don't feel comfortable in the environment provided they won't return.
In the optical market the demographic we are looking at is people in their 30's, 40's, 50's and older. However there is a market for the younger glasses/contact lenses wearer and not forgetting that a good children's display brings the parents in. We find that the truly successful practices are those designed to target all these markets.
Summary
It is a time consuming job, to research and meet the different aspects of retail concepts to save clients time and money getting their premises up and running with a cost effective time scale, plus implementing the appropriate strategy to create a modern, exclusive and progressive practice. It is a great sense of achievement when we have completed a practice that thrives within its new look.