Independence - it's all about choice

The idea of being an independent business is that you are in charge - you take credit for success and learn hard lessons from failure. Sleepless nights are guaranteed at times, but it’s nice not to be managed by a distant HQ or by Excel or by Investors.

One of the things we cherish is that we hand pick all our own frames - in multiples you get sent the stock and you stick it on the shelf - whether you like the style or, crucially, quality. We don’t have to stock anything we don’t rate - especially frames that are not robust, don’t have good quality hinges or feel cheap.

We have talked before about how the optical market in the UK is being transformed by the Hakim Group taking a 50%+ share in hundreds of formerly fully independent stores - the shop front and name stays the same and they appear fully independent, but they are not. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this, but I wish they would be a bitmore up-front about the change, as we have customers who keep going to places thinking they are supporting a full independent business with local people owning and controlling. If you go on websites of places that have joined this big group you will struggle to see it mentioned - why not be open? In Sheffield we know of 4 well knowns businesses who are now with Hakim, but there may be more …

Anyway - when I was away recently (see picture) I was able to reflect on our 10th year and be glad that we still have full control!