One of the sectors of retail that has been quietly reinventing itself over the past few years is ‘eyewear’ – opticians to the uninformed.
Gone are the rows of glasses displayed along the walls.
In their place are environments that don’t feel as if they are merely purveyors of a commodity.
It’s similar to what has happened with many mobile phone retailers.
One of the better examples of the trend is Jones & Co. Styling Opticians in Manchester.
This store, in the heart of the city, is housed in a grand Grade-II listed building (once home to the Bank of England) and feels more like an upscale hotel than an optician.
Only a handful of frames are on display in the ‘Eyewear Gallery’ and rather than self-selection, customers are offered an ‘Eyewear Styling Consultation’ and given access to a substantial range of independent eyewear brands.
Wooden parquet flooring, pendant lights and low, black filing cabinets with brass handles complete the upscale picture.
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