CENTENNIAL EYEWEAR
PAST MEETS
PRESENT
CENTENNIAL OPTICAL WAS FOUNDED IN 1967 AND IS BUILT ON A COMMITMENT
TO SELLING EXCEPTIONAL OPTICAL GOODS AND SERVICES. WE TALK TO ALLEN
NIGHTINGALE, VICE PRESIDENT OF CENTENNIAL OPTICAL ABOUT THE DIRECTION
THE COMPANY IS MOVING IN AN EVER CHANGING EYEWEAR INDUSTRY.
How is Centennial different
from other eyewear designers/
distributors?
Centennial is unique in that we
offer our accounts the products and
support to meet their needs for
practically all aspects of their businesses. We also create customized
programs to support independent
eyecare professionals, so they are
able to thrive in a very competitive
market with the internet, retail
chains and big box stores.
What are some of the style
features people can expect from
Centennial?
Another unique aspect of our
company is the diversity of product.
4 Optical Prism | June Digital 2015
In addition to offering a complete
range of lenses, contact lenses, sunglasses, accessories and supplies,
we launch approximately 360
different eyewear models each year,
one for virtually every day of the
year. Therefore, we can address just
about any of our customers’ issues
related to price, brand, and
demographics.
What are the keys to Centennial's
long-term success in the eyewear
industry?
Our founder, Roger de Pinto has
always said: if our customers grow,
then Centennial will grow with them.
That’s why we think it is so important to provide our customers with
the tools that can help them to grow
their businesses. And, that’s the
secret to Centennial’s growth over
the past 48 years.
Where does Centennial draw
inspiration for its designs?
We have a dedicated team that travels
the world, picking up on trends and
learning about new technologies.
We focus our attention on the
Canadian market, but we work with
an international network of suppliers, so we’re aware of what is going
on in the rest of the world. We meet
regularly with our design brand
companies so that we’re able to communicate their design inspirations
through the eyewear collections.