Visionworks Goes Virtual

"Visionworks is bringing its vast assortment of eyewear and expertise in eyecare to its customers who will now be able to shop directly from Visionworks’ website," reports Eyewire. "The national eyewear retailer on Monday launched an e-commerce site at www.visionworks.com. The new site will allow shoppers to purchase Visionworks’ collection of eyewear including prescription glasses, fashion frames and sunglasses and have them delivered directly to their doors." Read more. Visionworks, Online Retailing,

Davis Vision and Visionworks Launch Back-to-School Program

Visionworks and Davis Vision are launching ‘Let’s Go See,’ a cause marketing initiative focused on raising awareness about the importance of children receiving an annual eye exam. Reports from The Center for Health in Schools show that about 60% of students classified as problem learners have some sort of undetected visual problem. Read more.

Database Server Goes Missing at Visionworks Store

More than five months ago, Visionworks, Inc., lost a database server from its Annapolis location on Jennifer Square. It went missing after it was replaced on June 2 during a scheduled upgrade. The company statement read: “The server potentially held partially unencrypted protected health information belonging to as many as 75,000 of the store’s customers. All credit card information housed on the server was encrypted, and therefore should not be at risk.” Thieves don’t make a habit of stealing encrypted servers. The company believes that the missing server accidentally was sent to one of the store’s local landfills, adding that there’s no reason to believe that any of the information residing has been accessed or used inappropriately. The retailer has notified the affected customers. It also is offering free credit monitoring for one year. Read more.

Visionworks Offers Screenings at PGA Match

Visionworks, the official eyewear retailer of the PGA and Champions tours, will offer free vision screenings at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis from June 4-8. The company also provides resources for the health of PGA Tour golfers through its Player Mobile Health and Fitness Trailers, staffed by professional physical therapists and athletic trainers. The Mobile Health and Fitness Trailers are available to players during the tour for personal conditioning, preventative care, and rehabilitation throughout the season.Read more.

Visionworks Finishes Its National Makeover

Visionworks has finished renaming and making over its 615 stores. Visionworks, formerly known as Eye Care Centers of America, operated under 16 different retail store names back in June 2011 when it started its makeover. "We've enhanced the shopping experience for our customers by listening to what they told us they wanted, from an easy to navigate layout, to better lighting, and additional mirrors." said Jim Eisen, Visionworks’ president. Read more.

Visionworks Becomes Optical Retail PGA Sponsor

Visionworks,  a 15-store Atlanta-based optical retailer, has become the Official Eyewear Retailer of the PGA Tour. The retailer will sponsor player health and fitness trailers at more than 60 tournaments, including this week’s Tour Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Visionworks associates will provide free vision screenings and eye health information as well as eyewear giveaways. Event goers can stop by the Visionworks expo booth,  in the PGA Tour Pavilion at the main entrance. Read more.

Visionworks Sponsors PGA Tour

Visionworks, a wholly owned U.S.-based optical retailer, will officially sponsor the PGA Tour, beginning with the company’s participation in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, January 28 through February 3, 2013. The sponsorship announcement comes on the heels of the San Antonio, Texas-based retailer’s recent rebranding of its stores across the United States, including 17 Visionworks stores (formerly EyeMasters) in the Greater Phoenix area. 

EyeMaster Stores Now Called Visionworks

Visionworks, the largest wholly owned U.S.-based optical retailer, has changed the name of its 28 EyeMasters stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Visionworks. The company says that it is more than a simple name change and it promises a deepened commitment to extraordinary service, selection and value for North Texas consumers. The stores have been refurbished and will offer a larger selection and variety of eyewear.Read more. This is second time the chain has rebranded stores in recent months.

Visionworks Expanding into Philly Area

Visionworks has opened its first Philadelphia area store is now open. Located in Deptford Township, N.J., it is the first of more than 25 stores expected to open in the market through 2013. The San Antonio-based retailer plans to open 17 stores before the end of 2012 and additional locations by April 2013. Read more.

Transitions Names Top 10 Sites in Chicago

To kick-off the next stop on its 2012 Sightseeing City Tour, Transitions Optical, along with Visionworks, has announced the top 10 Sights to See in Chicago, and brings an exciting, interactive experience area aimed at educating consumers of all ages about the role of proper eye care and eyewear in seeing all of the 'sights' around you – whether on vacation or in your own backyard – to Taste of Chicago, July 11 – 15. Leading up to Taste of Chicago, Transitions Optical, in conjunction with national travel expert and National Geographic best-selling author, Marybeth Bond, identified the Top 25 Sights to See in Chicago and encouraged Chicago-area residents and tourists to vote on which of those made up the Top 10. After receiving nearly 2,000 votes, the Top 10 Sights to See in Chicago are Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Art Institute of Chicago, Skydeck Chicago, Wrigley Field, 900 North Michigan Shops, Buckingham Fountain, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Visionworks Gives Its Eyemasters a Make-Over

Visionworks, the largest wholly owned U.S.-based optical retailer, has renamed its 26 Greater Houston EyeMasters stores. They are now called Visionworks. The stores reportedly have been refurbished, offering customers a larger selection and greater variety of eyewear styles at affordable prices. Read more.

Transitions Brings Sights to See to Chicago

Transitions Optical, along with input from "The Gutsy Traveler" and national travel expert Marybeth Bond, has compiled the "Top 25 Sights to See" in Chicago at www.seemoresights.com – and is asking individuals to vote on which of those attractions and things to do they think make up the Top 10 Sights to See in the Chicago area. Voters are eligible to win a trip for two to Charleston, SC. The final Top 10 Sights to See will be revealed in conjunction with the Taste of Chicago. Transitions Optical, the official sponsor of Sightseeing, has planned its "tour" with stops in Miami, Dallas, Seattle, Chicago, and New Orleans. The Chicago stop will take place in mid July as part of Taste of Chicago during which Transitions Optical and Visionworks will invite attendees to have their photos taken at a kiosk against the scenic background of their choice and to enter their photo into the Sight of the Day Photo Contest for the chance to win a grand prize 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands. Finally, for each photo uploaded, Transitions Optical will make a charitable donation to Optometry Giving Sight. For the top sights in Miami, see this post.

Visionworks Reportedly to Launch Major Expansion in Philly

"Visionworks, a retail eyeglasses store chain owned by Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark, is getting ready to go head-to-head with optical shops in the Philadelphia region," according to a post in the Philadelphia Business Journal. "In a recruitment letter to area optometrists, obtained by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Visionworks outlines its plan to open 25 stores in this region." Read more.

Shake Up at Davis Vision, Visionworks, and Viva

Folded into an announcement about staff changes, HVHC Inc. stated that during the next 18 months, the company will be consolidating its 15 national retail brands under a single name, Visionworks and that Davis Vision managed care business will expand into new markets. Oh, yeah, the staffing changes: Steve Holden left as Davis Vision's president, so the company is looking for a replacement. Bob Cox, the former vice president of human resources for Visionworks of America, will assume new responsibilities as senior vice president for HVHC human resources shared services. Cox has been with Visionworks since April 2002. Cheryl Grobelny, a 14-year veteran with Viva, will report to Cox as vice president of HVHC talent management.