Study the demand, purchasing power of the population and the competition situation in your city. In a megalopolis and a small settlement, the possibilities for the operation of an optics salon and the principle of approach to the formation of the assortment differ radically.
Find out the licensing and paperwork requirements. The sale of glasses and contact lenses belongs to the medical field and works according to strict rules that must be followed.
The main risks
Despite the fact that vision problems are diagnosed in 50% of the population, most are not yet ready to undergo regular examinations, seek help from professional doctors and manufacturers of high-quality optics. For the better, the situation is changing very slowly, and many potential buyers prefer to buy cheap, poor quality glasses without the necessary certificates from street vendors.
Try to purchase a certain percentage of goods for disadvantaged groups, such as cheap frames for retirees.
Location
If you plan to limit yourself only to the sale of optics, do not intend to provide services for the diagnosis and manufacture of glasses, a room with a total area of 40 m² is sufficient. The specificity of the product allows you to place a wide range of glasses, frames and lenses in a relatively small space. Warehouses do not require a large area.
The situation is different if the entrepreneur plans to create a professional salon with a comprehensive service.
The minimum area of the diagnostic room is 18 m², the minimum length is 2.5 m. The height of the windows is at least 1 m from the floor. There is a water supply and a washbasin in the office.
A separate room is needed for a workshop.
You can reduce rental costs by locating the workshop on the outskirts of the city.
Equipment
Glass racks and showcases are the best for placing goods in an optical salon. Their cost ranges from 14,000 to 200,000 rubles, depending on the size and number of shelves.
The minimum set of equipment for the diagnostic office: a sign projector, an autorefkeratometer, a slit lamp, a diopter meter, a pupillometer, a set of exemplary lenses. In practice, the list is much wider; only a doctor can voice it. On average, about 500,000 rubles should be planned to equip an ophthalmologist's office.
A professional line for the manufacture of glasses is estimated at 1,750,000-2,500,000 rubles.
The total amount of investments in the repair and equipping of the salon without purchasing equipment for the work of the optician-technician is about 1,200,000-1,300,000 rubles.
Personnel
To ensure the work of a salon specializing exclusively in the sale of optics, 2 sales consultants with a shift exit are enough.
If the optical salon provides complex services, the staff must be a director with the necessary education, certification and work experience. Examination of clients, diagnostics and recommendations for the manufacture of glasses should be carried out by a qualified ophthalmologist.
An optical technician is engaged in the production of glasses. It is not necessary to invite this full-time employee, there are few certified and experienced specialists in this specialty, and their services are not cheap. If the salon has few orders for the manufacture of glasses, you can consider the option of concluding a contract. As a rule, one optician-technician serves several such salons at the same time.
Financial reporting can be entrusted to a part-time accountant.
Documents and licenses
In Russia, the sale and manufacture of optics belongs to the medical industry. The requirements from the state and regulatory authorities to the salons are high.
A pharmaceutical license is required in any case. Regardless of the presence of a diagnostic room, a medical license is required if the salon plans to sell contact lenses.
The director of the salon can be a specialist with a pharmaceutical education, who has a certificate of accreditation and work experience in this specialty. All employees of the salon must have a higher education corresponding to their position.
High chances of obtaining loans and attracting investments.
- The possibility of obtaining large quantities of goods for sale from large suppliers.
- Compared to CJSC, a small amount of authorized capital.
- OKVED code - 52.32. Form of taxation - STS.
A wide range of requirements for the premises of the salon are put forward by the fire safety services and SES. You should study these requirements even before searching for a room and take them into account during the renovation process.
The process of obtaining the necessary licenses and permits can be time-consuming. Law firms specializing in this area will help speed up the case and avoid mistakes. The total cost of registration with the services of specialists is within 50,000 rubles.
Suppliers
For legal work, it is necessary to conclude contracts with reliable manufacturers or their official representatives in Russia. Suppliers must have certificates of conformity for all types of products. The lack of accompanying and payment documents can lead to serious penalties from the regulatory authorities.
The salon, which has just started its activity, will not be provided with goods for sale or discounts. You can count on such conditions of cooperation in the future, subject to successful activities and confirmation of your solvency and good faith on your part.
Marketing
Optical salons are characterized by a division into the choice of a specific target audience: affordable goods at low prices, optics for vision correction and expensive branded products. The main part of the assortment of the salon should be formed depending on its location and the purchasing power of potential buyers. But try to widen the price range as much as possible. This way you can reach the widest possible range of clients.
Extensive media coverage is advisable before the opening of the salon. In the future, it is advisable to post information on local resources about holding promotions and expanding the range. A colorful showcase with basic prices, service descriptions and novelties will also attract a certain number of new customers.
Building a salon website makes sense. With its help, you will tell about yourself to active Internet users who need high-quality optics to work with a computer. Inform on the site about your services, news in the range of the salon, the global optical industry, findings and developments of scientists. Submit articles on the importance of regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist and eye care.
Profitability
The markup on goods largely depends on the selling price of suppliers and the type of product.
Frames - 90-180%.
Lenses - 80-150%.
Contact lenses - 50-80%.
The scope for adjusting the pricing policy depending on the situation with competitors and the purchasing power of the population is wide.
A salon that provides a comprehensive service earns about 150 rubles for an eye exam, and about 1,200 rubles for full diagnostics.
The average profitability for this area is 15-20%. With a competent approach to pricing and assortment formation, the payback period is 12-16 months.
Summary
Despite the substantial amount of start-up capital and high requirements for obtaining permits, the organization of an elephant optics has excellent prospects. Experts observe a steady increase in demand. High profitability is achieved through the provision of comprehensive services and ample opportunities for the formation of pricing policy.
Franchises
In our catalog, we found a couple of optician franchises:
"SmartOptics"
SmartOptik is a network of multi-brand optics salons, which guarantees its customers a wide choice and a qualified approach in the selection of an individual style. This is a combination of high standards of service with a wide offer in a discounter format. SmartOptik is a mass consumer-oriented network. We offer a format of publicly available optics for 70% of the population with average and below average earnings.
Our priority is high quality products available to all segments of the population.
"Happy Look"
The Happy Look chain, numbering more than 110 salons across Russia, positions itself as a people's multi-brand company. "Happy Look" invites partners to cooperate wishing to open a salon under their own brand. The franchise policy of the company also does not provide for royalties and lump-sum payments. Investments will amount to 1.85 million rubles and they will pay off within a period of one year.
