St James Quarter: Scottish eyewear retailer IOLLA announces new Edinburgh showroom

Scottish eyewear brand IOLLA are bringing local to centre stage in the new St James Quarter, launching a new experiential showroom and standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest names in retail.

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The instantly recognisable brand launched in 2015 with an aim to offer affordable eyewear to everyone. Their single-vision prescription glasses and sunglasses cost just £75, with lens thinning and anti-glare and anti-scratch coating included, with varifocals costing £125 all in.

The Glasgow-born business is the latest retailer to confirm its opening in Edinburgh’s new £1.7bn city centre development St James Quarter set to open at the end of June.

The St James Quarter showroom will be the brand's second in Edinburgh

IOLLA will be opening its fourth location across Edinburgh and Glasgow which will feature a new style of plug-and-play shelving stations, digital screens and modular podiums, brought to life with the help of local Edinburgh design studio Splintr.

It is the Capital’s second showroom, with the first located in the Stockbridge area of the city.

Its new showroom design will feature a 360º interactive window display and movable podiums, designed to bring the experience to the customer, replacing traditional ‘checkout’ desks.

By putting technology, adaptability, and the customer at the centre of the new design, IOLLA hope to create a customer journey within their St James Quarter showroom that is unique, fun and memorable.

IOLLA offer single vision glasses, with coatings and lens thinning included for £75, ensuring stylish, affordable eyewear for everyone

At the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, the closure of IOLLAs showrooms led the brand to enhance their digital presence and offering, investing in their online platform and introducing a Virtual Try-On app to their website, allowing customers to virtually try-on their collection before ordering online. Now they are set to embrace the digital and retail environment together with their new concept store.

Stefan Hunter, IOLLA’s founder said: “Our new St James Quarter showroom will be the most enriched customer experience we’ve ever created.

“Visitors can discover and journey through our brand by using our new creative touchpoints like material and manufacturing displays and an interactive try on garden. The St James Quarter showroom is also our biggest yet, and will give us the opportunity to truly showcase our passion for great customer service, great products and a fair price.” -

Martin Perry, director of development for St James Quarter added: “With the first phase opening of St James Quarter just weeks away, the addition of IOLLA will help further bolster the already formidable array of local and international brands St James Quarter has to offer as we look to build a diverse offering, including some national and city ‘firsts’, that will help create a one of a kind destination.”

Since opening its doors in 2015, IOLLA have been one to watch, paving the way for local retailers and shaking up the traditional optical industry with a direct to consumer approach and designing and manufacturing in their Glasgow headquarters.

The opening of the new showroom is a landmark moment for IOLLA, allowing the brand to branch into new territory when it comes to retail expansion and in high footfall locations.

The store will open on June 24 and those looking for a job with IOLLA can apply to be part of the team on the website.

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