Optical Retailer Fielmann Group Enters U.S. Market, Acquires SVS Vision and Befitting.com, to Establish Fielmann USA, to Be Headed by Former EyeMed Exec, Lukas Ruecker

By Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 11:05 AM HAMBURG, Germany, and DETROIT—The Fielmann Group (ETR: FIE), a leading European eyewear provider, announced that it is entering the U.S. market with two complementary acquisitions. The company stated this is an important milestone in the internationalization that the German family business is pursuing with its "Vision 2025 growth strategy." The Fielmann Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent equity ownership of SVS Vision, an optical retailer that operates more than 80 stores across nine U.S. states.

Etro and Safilo Group Announce 10-Year Exclusive Global Licensing Agreement for Eyewear Collections

By Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 12:21 AM MILAN and PADUA, Italy—Lifestyle luxury brand Etro and Safilo Group have announced a 10-year global and exclusive licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing and distribution of Etro branded eyewear collections.

EssilorLuxottica and Harvard Business Publishing to Unlock Leadership and Management Education Content for the Vision Care Industry

By Staff
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 12:24 AM CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France and BOSTON—EssilorLuxottica and Harvard Business Publishing, a subsidiary of Harvard University, are partnering to allow EssilorLuxottica’s employees, and tens of thousands of eyecare professionals around the world to access curated business and leadership content developed by experts. Leonardo, EssilorLuxottica’s 24/7 digital learning platform, will offer 40+ essential business courses, thousands of articles from Harvard Business Review and more. With what's described as "a shared vision of elevating an industry through talent development and mastering emerging skills in a changing world," Leonardo is offering curated access to Harvard Business Publishing courses that will enhance both personal and professional skills.

Safilo Group and Kate Spade New York Announce Early Renewal of Multi-Year Licensing Agreement

By Staff
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 12:18 AM PADUA and NEW YORK—Safilo Group and American lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York announced the early renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement for the exclusive design, manufacturing and distribution of Kate Spade New York branded optical frames, readers and sunglasses.

GlassesUSA.com Debuts First Exclusive Brand Collaboration, FILA x Revel Tune Smart Audio Glasses

By Staff
Monday, June 5, 2023 12:27 AM NEW YORK—Online retailer GlassesUSA.com has introduced its first-ever exclusive brand collaboration, the FILA x Revel Tune smart audio glasses which integrate FILA’s performance style with advanced Revel Tune technology. The glasses are engineered to deliver a combination of comfort and sound, with smart Bluetooth audio and high-quality open ear sound. The collaboration launches with two new frame styles available as glasses or sunglasses, with a variety of lens coatings and upgrades including blue light, polarized, colored lenses, photochromic and more.

Thélios Unveils New Visual Identity During its 2023 Convention in Rome

By Staff
Monday, June 5, 2023 12:24 AM LONGARONE, Italy—Thélios unveiled its new visual identity last week during its 2023 Convention in Rome, where the LVMH eyewear producer was presenting the 2023 collections from its Maisons including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Kenzo and Fred.

opti Presents opti on Tour Concept

By Staff
Friday, June 2, 2023 12:21 AM MUNICH—After its successful January 2023 show, opti show organizers have announced that the opti team will spend the rest of 2023 attending numerous customer and industry events in Europe and the U.S.

Randolph Opens First-Ever Boston Seaport Pop-Up Shop to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

By Staff
Friday, June 2, 2023 12:18 AM BOSTON—As part of a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, Randolph has opened its first-ever retail location as a pop-up shop in The Current in Boston Seaport alongside Seaport Common.

New Look Vision Group Wins Excellence in Retailing Award in Omnichannel from Retail Council of Canada

By Staff
Friday, June 2, 2023 12:15 AM TORONTO—New Look Vision Group is among the list of 15 winners of this year's Canada's Excellence in Retailing Awards, honored in the category of Omnichannel. The awards are presented as a highlight of the Retail Council of Canada's STORE 2023 Conference here. "Retailers across Canada have once again showcased their remarkable innovativeness and leadership, raising the bar for excellence in the retail industry," the organization said. The competition for the group's Excellence in Retailing Awards saw an unprecedented 88 finalists contending for the top honors.

Walmart Is Raising Wages and Investing in Careers for More Than 7,000 Opticians and Pharmacists

By Staff
Thursday, June 1, 2023 12:27 AM BENTONVILLE, Ark.—As part of what it described as "Our ongoing effort to recognize the great work of our health and wellness associates while investing for the future," Walmart said it will be investing in the careers, training and in some cases, licensing for 4,000 opticians and 3,700 pharmacists. In an announcement and corresponding corporate Walmart blog post issued late yesterday, co-written by David Reitnauer, vice president, Walmart Health & Wellness, optical, and Kevin Host, senior vice president, Walmart Health & Wellness, pharmacy, the executives noted, "In many communities, Walmart’s pharmacy and vision center associates are the most accessible health care providers for busy families.

Vuzix and Materialise Announce Partnership on 3D Printed Smart Eyewear

By Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 12:27 AM ROCHESTER, N.Y. and LEUVEN, Belgium—Smart eyewear and AR tech company Vuzix Corporation and 3D printing pioneer Materialise NV have announced a collaborative effort to accelerate the design and production of smart eyewear using 3D printing technology.

Design Eyewear Group Appoints Jason Dopheide as VP of Sales

By Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 12:21 AM AARHUS, Denmark—Design Eyewear Group has announced the appointment of Jason Dopheide as VP of sales, effective May 2, 2023. In this role, Dopheide will be responsible for the company’s activities in North America.

Eyemart Express Doubles Footprint in Indiana

By Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 12:24 AM FARMERS BRANCH, Texas—National optical retailer Eyemart Express is expanding its footprint in Indiana with the opening of four new stores. This May, new storefronts in Avon, Columbus, Evansville, and Fishers will mark the company’s first presence in the Evansville and Indianapolis markets.

Optometry Giving Sight Names Susy Yu, OD, to Board of Directors

By Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 12:18 AM GOLDEN, Colo.—Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the addition of Susy Yu, OD, MBA, FAAO, to its board of directors. Dr. Yu has served for more than 20 years as director of strategy and operations support at Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente.

Today Is the Deadline for Submissions to VM's 2023 Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report

By Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The deadline for submissions to Vision Monday's signature Annual Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report is today, May 24, at 11:59 p.m. The report and ranking will be published in VM's upcoming June print/digital edition this year. The annual survey spans regional and national retailers and ECP groups for the exclusive report, which will collect and present sales and operations data for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2022. Noted Marge Axelrad, SVP/editorial director of Vision Monday, "Given the still-challenging business climate of the past year, it’s important that we collect information directly from as many optical retailers as we can, so we can best manage the task of developing VM estimates for companies and their businesses.