Seamless Xtra’s Alia AlHussein interviews Yehuda Halperin, Founder at Falco Milano.
The team at Falco Milano Eyewear & Optics continues a rich legacy with a clear mission: to disrupt the optics monopoly in Africa. With a focus on business decision-making and relationship building, they have expanded to 17 stores and developed a robust online presence, ensuring customer satisfaction is always at the forefront.
Embracing retail sales and a people-first approach, we prioritize social responsibility, encapsulated by their “People before Profits” philosophy. Partnering with the Amy Foundation, they are proud to contribute to enhancing the vision of South Africa’s youth, ensuring they have every opportunity for success.
Breaking the monopoly: Falco Milano’s vision for affordable and fast eyewear in Africa
1.What are the biggest challenges facing the eyewear and optics industry in Africa, and how does Falco Milano aim to disrupt the existing market monopoly?
African consumers’ primary challenges include availability, cost, and delivery time. In many countries across the continent, consumers lack access to optical stores altogether, let alone to quality eyewear at reasonable prices. Falco Milano addresses this need through physical stores and online options, providing a solution for anyone in Africa seeking glasses to enhance their quality of life. Another challenge is the high cost of eyewear; if consumers don’t have medical insurance, they may struggle to afford glasses. This is where Falco Milano aims to disrupt the eyewear monopoly, particularly in South Africa and across the continent. Currently, we serve customers from various countries who specifically visit our branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria to make purchases or buy online. Our next step involves expanding into additional African countries. We have established connections in Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire, with business partners eager to set up franchises for the company, which we expect to materialize in 2025-2026.
Another concern is delivery time. While the typical delivery time in the optics industry is 14 days or more, we are working to reduce this to just a few days. Next month, we will launch a new service, ’Glasses Within one Hour.” This service will cater to those needing single-vision glasses, enabling them to receive eyewear within an hour. Initially, this service will be available at two branches: Eastgate in Johannesburg and Access Park in Cape Town, with plans for further expansion to all branches. This innovative service will transform our customers’ shopping experience, allowing them to shop while picking up their glasses immediately, thus saving them the hassle of waiting and making multiple trips to the mall.
2. How do you see consumer preferences evolving in the African eyewear industry, and what role does affordability, accessibility, and fashion play in purchasing decisions?
One can see the change in the industry. In the past, glasses were considered a ‘medical device’; today, people understand that they are much more of a fashion statement than a medical necessity, affecting everything. Falco Milano plays a significant role in this transformation. Especially with social media, more and more clients search for specific shapes and styles. It’s not just about having glasses to see better; it’s also a reflection of me, my appearance, and the message I send to the world.
3.What impact do online retail and e-commerce have on the eyewear sector, and how can traditional brick-and-mortar stores adapt to changing consumer behaviour?
While e-commerce is growing in Africa, it hasn’t yet reached the global standards in Europe or the USA.
However, we are making progress in that direction. That’s why we are investing in our new Falco Milano website, which will transform online commerce on the continent—it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. Despite the expansion of e-commerce, traditional stores will always play a significant role. It’s crucial to maintain a balance between online and offline retail. Brick-and-mortar stores can adapt by providing personalized experiences, expert advice, and a curated selection of products.
