Japanese Optical chain Owndays opens in Dubai

Transparency Market Research (TMR) has released a report that reveals the eyewear market in the Middle East is expanding at a CAGR of 8.8 percent till 2023, where the opportunities in the regional market are expected to reach a worth of US$5.86 bn by the end 2023. “The Middle East eyewear market is driven mainly by the rising count of consumers who need vision correction. People not only are price sensitive but quality conscious too and we meet that demand to ensure that a happy customer walks out of our doors, to come back again. This kind of D2C brand is very rare in the store”, said Take the COO of OWNDAYS, one of the largest players in the fashion eyewear space from Japan . Owndays recently forayed first time in the  Middle East by launching a new store in Dubai Mall last month. Currently, the company has a global presence of 350 stores spread across 12 countries including Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Cambodia. 

Speaking on the launch, Také Umiyama said “Out first store outside Japan was opened in Singapore 2017 and we ventured into Europe in 2016 through our first store in the Netherlands. We now have more than 250 store outside of Japan.  The flagship store in Dubai Mall has a small manufacturing section with a special lens edging machine from Japan which can provide lens sizes in 20 mins. The store is also equipped with a special eye-check up room which offers free eye check up to its customers. Customers can be sure that accurate prescription lens will be provided as they will be checked by licensed and trained optometrists. “What sets Owndays apart is that it has a wide stock of lens options and uses state-of-the-art machines operated by skilled and reliable opticians so customers can get their eyeglasses in as fast as 20 minutes .We are excited for our new store launched in Dubai Mall through which we will continue to provide a unique footprint for its customers in the region”, exclaimed Take. 

Established in Tokyo, Japan in 1989, OWNDAYS has redefined the world of optics by following affordable, simple pricing, quick servicing, value, and most importantly impeccable quality. Consumers can choose from more than 1,500 styles of high-quality frames, from basic and conservative to more fashionable and stylish looks. “The price of the frame is adorable and is already inclusive of ultra-thin and multi-coated lenses regardless of the grade at no additional charges. Prices are very flexible and can accommodate your budget as it ranges from 299-999AED, said Take.  Harping on the term crafstmanship, all the eyeglasses and sunglasses displayed in the shops are original brands that have been planned, designed and manufactured in the country. They have a variety of unique brands ready to meet the diversified needs of men and women of all ages. Central to Owndays is quality, ensuring each piece passes the strict standards followed by the global brand.  “Foraying into the direct-to-consumer model, we always have our own mono-store where we own the brand, cut the middlemen and provide  affordable and good quality optics directly to the consumers, confirmed Take. 

Not being limited to Dubai, the brand is planning to open more stores in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt through some franchise partners. With an omni-channel retail in place, Owndays is also planning to open its own e-commerce website in due time. “We need to gain customer trust first through our stores here. Once they come and explore our stores, then slowly they will also also start buying from our website”, concluded Take.