VisionPlus India

specific areas on the counter to attend to each client distanced 6 feet apart to comply with the norm. Each area was converted into a station with a mirror, sanitiser and all the paraphernalia required to sanitise the area after every client. We had certain corners in the shop with larger mirrors. After shortlisting the eyewear, the sales-person would escort the client to these areas to check out the eyewear without the mask. The sales-person would also take images of the client which he/she could share with the family for an opinion. We have UVC cabinets imported from Italy to sanitise the eyewear tried by clients. We also have ultra-sound cleaners with antimicrobial solutions at the counter. The entrance of each shop has a station to check body temperature using a non- touch thermometer and sanitiser dispenser. The temperature check, and hand sanitization. We have a contactless eye testing facility. We’ve had to change our product portfolio also. Luxury eyewear had to be shifted from display, and low and mid-end frames had to be given prominence, as customers were very conservative in their buying pattern. Payments were made contactless via NEFT, Credit Cards, Google Pay, paytm etc. Many patients who did not want to venture out of AMMAN KUMAR The first challenge is to maintain social distancing on the shop floor, especially during peak hours. We still maintain the counters that physically distance the client and the sales-person. We put floor stickers to designate temperature for each client is recorded and stored in a database as well. SAFETY PROTOCOLS All eyewear touched by clients is sanitised in UVC chambers before restocking. Optometrists use ipad aided measuring devices such as the Eye-Ruler and Opti-cam instead of PD-meter. Clients were encouraged to pay digitally rather than in cash as much as possible. Since we had 5-6 dedicated areas on the counter to attend to clients, additional clients were asked to queue outside. CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR Premium clients asked for time slots when there is less inflow of customers. A lot of clients preferred to shortlist on WhatsApp. There was a shift in the selection criteria with greater value being placed on the spectacle lenses and the frame selection being more functional than dressy. There is more acceptance to purchasing a second pair of spectacles now. SANJAY TEKCHANDANI THE Covid 19 Pandemic has been like a RESET for the whole world. We have had to decongest our stores to have minimum touchpoints for all. The counter-top was cleared of all paraphernalia, including mirrors. Instructions were put outside and inside our Centre, detailing the protocols. No Mask, No entry. Maximum 4 persons were allowed inside our store, but only after a their safe zones, used to order their requirements on the phone, and we used to get the products delivered to them at their doorstep. 46 VISION PLUS INDIA EDITION