buyer's forum

Make Like the Mouse

Amy Spiezio

Two years ago, the Walt Disney Company introduced a set of food guidelines that provides parents and their children with nutrition parameters to help combat the rising tide of overweight and unhealthy youngsters.

Today, all food products associated with the Disney name meet basic health standards and those dining at Disney properties find healthier options on menus with kid-focused licensed foods.

And how does this relate to optical inventory?

Just as Mickey Mouse and all of the ambassadors of the Disney brand have influence over consumers, so do you. If your practice's brands provide only optical junk, your patients will consume junk. With the youth market, parents will often want to go the less expensive route—kids are rough on their eyewear and they grow quickly. But just like children can't live well on chicken nuggets and ice cream every day, optical options that don't provide a healthy balance of fun style and safety won't get the job done.

If you provide good-quality choices, kids may not opt for something better every time. But there is a higher likelihood that the better selection will be made because it's just as convenient as the other options. As an eyecare professional, you have the opportunity to serve up top-quality eyewear for the youngest clients and build your brand as a magical, healthy place for kids.