LensCrafters 2012 Annual Report Download - page 54

52 ANNUAL REVIEW 2012
SUNGLASS HUT
Since the acquisition of Sunglass Hut in 2001, Luxottica has become a world leader in the
specialty sunglass retail business.
Founded in 1971 as a small kiosk in a Miami mall, Sunglass Hut has grown since then into
one of the world’s leading destinations for top brands, latest trends and exclusive styles
of high quality fashion and performance sunglasses. Stores can be found in fashionable
shopping districts across the globe, from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to
Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and beyond, providing consumers with a fun, innovative
fashion and shopping experience.
In recent years, the chain has reinforced its presence in the department store channel
through long-term strategic agreements with Macy’s in the United States, Myers in
Australia and Edgars in South Africa. Following a strategy to strengthen the brand by
increasing its presence in markets that are on the cutting edge of fashion and are tourist
centers, or “gateway cities”, in April 2010, Sunglass Hut opened flagship stores in New
York and London, soon followed by Miami, Santa Monica and Orlando. In 2011, Sunglass
Hut entered the Mexican market and the Brazilian market, where it has continued to
organically grow in 2012.
As of December 31, 2012, Sunglass Hut operated a retail network of 2,713 stores worldwide,
including 2,610 corporate stores across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South Africa
and Latin America and 103 franchise locations in the Middle East, India, the Philippines
and Thailand.
ILORI
ILORI is Luxottica’s high-end fashion sun retail brand, with 21 stores in North America as
of December 31, 2012, including flagship stores in the SoHo neighborhood of New York
City and in Beverly Hills, California. ILORI caters to a different, exclusive clientele, offering
a richer purchasing experience for eyewear in prestige locations, featuring sophisticated
luxury collections, exclusive niche brands and highly personalized service.
THE OPTICAL SHOP OF ASPEN
Founded in the 1970s, The Optical Shop of Aspen is known in the optical industry for its
luxury brands for both prescription and sunglasses and its first class customer service.
As of December 31, 2012, Luxottica operated 18 stores in some of the most upscale and
exclusive locations throughout the United States.
SUN AND LUXURY
RETAIL