MORE THAN AN EYE FULL
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of International Optique in Kuwait By bazaar staff
International Optique partners left to right: Rolf ,Erika, April, Haussam and Alexi
Picture an optician, what do you think of? Sunglasses, glasses, contact lenses, maybe an annual eye test, if you’re conscientious about looking after your eye health. This is basic eye care. However, not even keen optometrist Rolf Habig could see the impact his arrival in 1978 would have in Kuwait. Keeping customer service and the science of solutions to visual impairment at the core of International Optique means that 2018 marks an impressive 40 years of serving satisfied customers. Over the years, International Optique has expanded and serves the local communities of five locations across Kuwait. 44
bazaar went to meet the team at the helm of this successful local brand. Today there is an entire second generation of the Habig family running the business. These three sisters, April, Erika and Alexi, work alongside fourth partner Haussam Adlouni on a daily basis. Today’s mission though, before the store opens, is to corral their father into the photographs bazaar needs to take for this article, no easy task for the daughters. Getting the daughters and Haussam to pose for these photos is equally difficult, as all of them keep busy preparing for the day ahead; the apples fall not far from the tree in the daughters’ cases. It is probably no wonder then that each of them followed their father into the family business. There is a huge amount of pride for what Rolf Habig has achieved with International Optique. April tells us about the members of staff who have been with them for years, decades even. In this day and age of portfolio careers where it is common to jump from one thing
to the next, it stands out for a company to be able to hold on to its members of staff for such long stretches. Only the showing of appreciation and respect achieves this level of staff loyalty. There is no room for solipsism here, the knowledge of the veteran staff who started on the shop floor with no prior experience in optometry, is considered just as valuable as the staff who are fresh out of college. There is a reputation which proceeds the staff of International Optique too. On their travels, it is not unheard of for industry colleagues to commend International Optique and Rolf Habig for having such high standards, assuring quality and keeping one eye on the future, with another focused on learning from traditional service culture. “Ah, you work for International Optique!” is often accompanied by a knowing smile and appreciative nod. “This is nice for them,” says April, “it makes them feel proud.” Rightly so. There is a charming anecdote too, that an Olympian