RE: RE: dead...Well put FFH.
Even if the manufacturers suddenly decided to change their whole business model on the back of a policy decision of one canadian province they, believe it or not they could barely compete. Sure they could presumably trump the price on their one product but they couldnt offer the selection, and now, a comprehensive eyeglass offering. Would they really want to set up an entire online sales operation with an army of call centre staff just to try to pitch their individual product offering?
Because Coastal's model relies on selection I dont ever see a takeover by a contact lense company making business sense. I do, however, see Coastal being attractive to a major "bricks and mortar" eyeglass distributor. On that note, Im hoping this kiosk model in Europe is successful. I really think that the online focus complemented with small retail kiosks to refer the internet scaredy cats could really work. I know that another company I have owned, Glentel, has done very well on retail kiosks (wireless wave). Id love to see the day that such coastal kiosks are giving fits to lenscrafters.