Visique Ltd Enjoys Strong Growth In First Year

9 April 2001

Visique Ltd

One year on from launching, the country’s first nationwide network of independent optometrists, Visique Ltd has enjoyed significantly higher patient numbers, revenues and average sales.

Turnover has increased by an average of 15% across the group, with the number of members expected to increase from 65 practices to 80 by the end of June 2002.

Dianne McAteer, General Manager, says that Visique’s first year was undoubtedly a solid one. “I am very confident with the way we are evolving, and I believe that all Visique members are seeing many tangible and intangible benefits already,” she says. “We are constantly challenging and adapting the way we do things in order to ensure that our strong performance continues.”

With the prospect of deregulation of the optometry industry in the background, McAteer believes that as a strongly positioned brand Visique will be well placed to compete with any overseas or new entrants. “New clients will naturally default to eye care professionals with a strong identity, good reputation, high brand awareness and ease of location,” she says.

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Visique recently joined the customer loyalty programme Fly Buys, making them the first in the healthcare industry to do so. The programme provides a powerful toolkit for educating the public on eye health issues, and also gives a competitive advantage when new entrants to the eye care market are choosing between similarly positioned and located practices.

In line with the company’s commitment to educating communities about the importance of eye health, Visique took part in The Lions World Sight Day, acting as a collection point for the recycling of old and unwanted glasses.

“While Visique as a whole acts globally on behalf of the group of 65 practices, it is important that each practice also acts locally, serving the needs of its own community,” McAteer says.

In the past year Visique has also secured four exclusive eyewear fashion brands including Nicole Farhi, Bebe, Head, Madison and Fusion.

All of Visique’s members remain independent operators while enjoying the benefits of being part of a recognised brand. Member must also belong to the New Zealand Association of Optometrists and abide by that organisation’s professional, ethical and continuing education standards.

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