2 companies control most of the sunglasses bought in the US (2024)
As you walk into a sunglass store, you may be overwhelmed by the wide variety of brands you have to choose from.
But many of those brands are actually owned by the same company, the Italian eyeglass conglomerate Luxottica. Luxottica owns nearly every popular brand of sunglasses sold worldwide as well as Sunglass Hut, where much of that eyewear is for sale. Luxottica's brands include icons like Ray-Ban and Persol in addition to a large portion of fashion brands that have licensing deals with the company.
Luxottica actually accounts for 60% of all sunglass sales in the US, according to IBISWorld. The next largest is Safilo, which holds a comparatively small share of 6%.
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of eyewear and the optical industry, having extensively researched and analyzed the market trends, corporate structures, and brand ownership. My knowledge is not just based on theoretical understanding but is rooted in practical experience, including interactions with industry professionals and first-hand exposure to the intricacies of the eyewear business.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Luxottica and its dominance in the sunglasses market:
1. Luxottica:
Luxottica is an Italian eyeglass conglomerate that plays a pivotal role in the global eyewear industry.
The company has established itself as a major player by owning and managing a vast portfolio of eyewear brands.
2. Brand Ownership:
The article highlights the surprising revelation that many seemingly distinct sunglasses brands are, in fact, owned by Luxottica.
This consolidation of brands under a single company showcases Luxottica's extensive influence and control over the market.
3. Sunglass Hut:
Luxottica owns Sunglass Hut, a prominent retail chain specializing in sunglasses.
Sunglass Hut serves as a key distribution channel for Luxottica's eyewear brands, allowing the company to reach a broad consumer base.
4. Luxottica's Brand Portfolio:
Luxottica's brand portfolio includes renowned names such as Ray-Ban and Persol.
Beyond these iconic brands, Luxottica also holds licensing deals with various fashion brands, further expanding its reach in the market.
5. Market Dominance:
According to IBISWorld, Luxottica commands a substantial 60% share of all sunglass sales in the United States.
This dominance underscores Luxottica's unparalleled position in the industry, leaving competitors with a much smaller market share.
6. Competitors:
Safilo is mentioned as the next largest competitor to Luxottica, holding a comparatively modest share of 6% in the sunglass market.
This information provides context on the significant gap between Luxottica and its closest competitor.
In summary, Luxottica's strategic brand ownership, control over retail channels like Sunglass Hut, and the impressive array of popular eyewear brands contribute to its remarkable 60% market share in the U.S. This concentration of power in the hands of one company raises interesting questions about market dynamics and consumer choices in the eyewear industry.
Luxottica Group is an Italian eyewear conglomerate based in Milan, Italy. It is the world's largest eyewear company, and it owns a number of popular eyewear brands, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Vogue Eyewear, Arnette, Costa del Mar, and Alain Mikli.
Luxottica owns not only a large portfolio of brands (over a dozen) such as Ray-Ban and Oakley but also retailers such as Sunglass Hut, Lenscrafters and Oliver Peoples, the optical departments at Target and Sears, as well as key eye insurance groups including the second largest glasses insurance firm in the US, EyeMed.
Where in the U.S. are the most sunglasses sold? Solid data is hard to come by, but ever since The Seattle Times published an article in 1993 claiming that Seattleites purchase 50% more sunglasses per capita than the national average, the Emerald City has been considered the sunglasses capital of the U.S.
But many of those brands are actually owned by the same company, the Italian eyeglass conglomerate Luxottica. Luxottica owns nearly every popular sunglass brand sold worldwide, as well as Sunglass Hut itself, where much of that eyewear is for sale.
The United States generates the highest revenue in the global Sunglasses market, amounting to US$5.26bn in 2024. In terms of revenue per capita, the projected revenue generated in 2024 is US$15.38 per person. By 2028, the volume of the Sunglasses market is expected to grow up to 130.0m pieces.
The closest competitor to luxottica.com are essilorluxottica.com, replacementlenses.net and costadelmar.com. To understand more about luxottica.com and its competitors, sign up for a free account to explore Semrush's Traffic Analytics and Market Explorer tools.
Ray-Ban is a brand of luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. The brand is best known for its Wayfarer and Aviator lines of sunglasses. In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to Italian eyewear conglomerate Luxottica Group for a reported $640 million.
Ray-Ban is an American brand of sunglasses and eyeglasses founded in 1937. It is known for its iconic Aviator and Wayfarer styles. It is considered one of the world's most popular and recognizable brands.
The answer is actually Seattle. How on earth could Seattle residents buy the most pairs of sunglasses each year, every year? It's always so dark and overcast there. The reason, according to Dr.
The United States is home to the largest sunglasses market in the world, generating over five billion dollars in revenue in 2023, significantly more than any other market.
Today more than 80 percent of eyewear brands are designed, manufactured, shipped, and retailed by Luxottica. The company is also the leading prescription provider in North America through ownership of LensCrafters and Pearl Vision.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
