LensCrafters 2012 Annual Report Download - page 53

512.6 DISTRIBUTION
LENS LABORATORIES
Together with LensCrafters’ over 900 in-store labs, Luxottica operates five central lens
surfacing/finishing labs in North America. Combining a broad presence in the market with
the capacity for handling lens surfacing/finishing reduces the time and cost of lens-finishing
work and improves quality of service. All the labs use highly advanced technologies to
meet growing demand.
The five central laboratories serve all the Pearle Vision stores, the retail licensed brand
stores, LensCrafters and a number of franchises.
In addition, the Group operates Oakley optical lens laboratories in the United States,
Ireland and Japan. These labs provide Oakley prescription lenses to the North and South
American, European and Asian markets, respectively, enabling them to achieve expeditious
delivery, better quality control and higher optical standards.
Most of the Australian laboratory needs are provided by the Eyebiz Laboratory, a joint
venture between Luxottica and Essilor formed in February 2010.
ONLINE RETAIL FOR CONTACT LENSES
In 2009, Luxottica entered into a strategic multi-year e-commerce alliance with Vision Direct,
a leading online contact lens retailer and wholly-owned subsidiary of Drugstore.com,
to develop branded contact lens e-commerce sites for Luxottica’s North American retail
business and provide customer care and fulfillment services for this channel. The alliance
enables Luxottica to offer a comprehensive solution for consumers to conveniently
purchase contact lenses in person, by telephone or online.
BRAND E-COMMERCE SITES
Oakley, Ray-Ban and Sunglass Hut e-commerce websites comprise additional important
sales channels that complement Luxottica’s retail operations and international distribution.
The websites allow consumers to purchase products efficiently, increasing brand
awareness, improving customer service and communicating the values and essence of
these important brands.
Oakley.com conducts e-commerce across multiple markets including the US, Canada,
Australia, Japan and 16 countries in Europe. Ray-Ban.com was launched in the United
States in 2009. Launched in 2008, over the last two years SunglassHut.com has become
the digital destination for consumers looking to find the latest trends and hottest products
in premium sunwear.
The e-commerce strategy is to enter additional markets as the business matures. For
example in China, strategic partnerships have been formed to open both Ray-Ban and
Oakley stores within TaoBao, the largest local online mall.
E-COMMERCE