Specsavers
More than 140 shops in NL
With more than 140 shops nationwide, the Netherlands is one of the largest markets for international optical retail chain Specsavers Group. All shops operate in a partnership structure and, as such, local business owners are co-responsible for their own shop. Specsavers therefore consistently speaks of ‘partners’ and not of franchisees or retailers, as we quickly noticed when we asked Business Development Manager Okke Weimar about his experiences with Bulsink.
More than 140 shops in NL
New look & feel
Ultra-fast
Following an issue of tender in 2021, Specsavers opted to work with two permanent, specialist contractors for all refurbishments of its Dutch shops. The reason, Okke explains, was to answer the higher ambitions. “In the past we’d have maybe one or two refurbishments a month. And we used the same contractors for many years. But when COVID hit and also afterwards, we wanted to upgrade, open new shops, relocate shops. “Then we’re suddenly talking about forty refurbs in a year. That calls for parties that have the speed and flexibility to get it done right. Achieving the desired level of finishing was an additional factor. And good communication, too, is very important to us and our partners.”
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We're talking about forty refurbs in a year. That calls for parties that have the speed and flexibility to get it done right.
- Okke Weimar, Business Development Manager at Specsavers
Tender and test case
After a thorough pre-selection procedure, Specsavers invited a number of contractors to submit a proposal. Two winners emerged from the tender, one of them being Bulsink. What was the deciding factor? “Price is of course important. Also for our partners, since they pay the bill. There there’s the quality because we want the highest level possible. And that the quality level is guaranteed if several refurbishments are happening at the same time.”
“We already had a good feeling about Bulsink. Just look at what they did for Rituals! If the frequency increases, they are quick to get a second or even a third team in. But anyway, that was our impression beforehand. You can only be sure after you build together. That’s why we asked all contractors to actually remodel a shop. As a test case.”
Fresh new look
On average, Specsavers upgrades its shop concept every five years.
Mint green walls made way for a white interior. Shelves have been replaced by cupboards. A modern PVC floor instead of traditional carpet. It gives an overall cleaner, contemporary look that is further enhanced by the fresh new lighting with energy-efficient LED ceiling spotlights.
The open, brighter look transforms the space of the store and makes it appear bigger. People who walk past can look further into the shop from the street, which helps Specsavers stand out and increase its appeal.
Moreover, the counter set-up has been improved, by rotating it a quarter turn. Making it easier for customers to spot it when they enter the shop.
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They do things more thoroughly at Bulsink. Every detail has to be right first; then they start building.
- Okke Weimar, Business Development Manager Specsavers
Specsavers on working with Bulsink
When asked on how he experiences the collaboration with Bulsink, Business Development Manager Okke says: “It’s excellent. They don’t just do their job, they also help us optimise our processes. For instance with snagging, where we go through the outstanding points before delivery. We used to just scribble down issues on a sheet of A4. Bulsink came to us with an app. Is the paintwork not entirely up to standard? Just take a photo and send it straight to the painter. Everything is properly documented and communicated.”
“Here’s another example: they discovered that our design department was using different sizes for the same product. By pointing that out to us, they help eliminate errors in our system. This makes the quality go up and the costs go down. Any issues like this were previously always straightened out afterwards. Then you start messing about and you end up having to fix it later. Then, on the day before the grand opening, the suspended ceiling still needs to be installed. Or that workers are still sanding and drilling. While you should ideally have left two days before opening.”
“They do things more thoroughly at Bulsink. Every detail has to be right first; then they start building. This took some getting used to at first, but by the end of the project you really notice the benefits.”
