The latest news, analysis and data on corporate strategic initiatives, the latest mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, insolvencies and cooperations in the eyewear industry.
Essilux acquires lens inspection expert A&R
EssilorLuxottica has announced the acquisition of Automation & Robotics (A&R), the Belgium-based supplier of equipment and software for ophthalmic lens laboratories. The group said that the acquisition would bring deep expertise across the value chain, including R&D, software development, manufacturing, distribution and deployment.
Lenskart files for IPO, acquires a Spanish DTC sunglass brand
Lenskart’s long-rumored initial public offering (IPO) is one big step closer to becoming a reality as the Indian-based optical retailer group has just filed its so-called draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The 761-page document is now available on the group’s corporate website.
Essilux acquires producer of lens monomers
EssilorLuxottica has agreed to acquire all of the “assets and entities involved in the development, manufacturing and sale of monomers used in the production of high index ophthalmic lenses” of SK PUcore, of South Korea.
Meta takes 3% share in Essilux – with more to come?
What seemed like an only-a-matter-of-time thing since July last year is now a done deal, according to Bloomberg. Meta has acquired a minority stake in EssilorLuxottica, its smart glasses partner. “People familiar with the matter” told the US financial news outlet that the US tech giant had invested around €3 ...
Brand building, distribution and portfolio expansion keep Izipizi in the fast lane
Double-digit revenue growth is a common feature of many startups in their very early years, but, as businesses scale up, the fast pace naturally becomes harder to sustain. However, some achieve to keep the double-digit momentum going well into their teenage years. IZIPIZI, the French-based company “doing everyday glasses that ...
Delfin shareholders reportedly seek exclusive focus on Essilux investment
A majority of shareholders in the Del Vecchio family holding company Delfin would like Delfin to focus exclusively on its investment in EssilorLuxottica and dispose of non-core investments in financial companies, according to a report in the Italian financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore.
E-commerce software group enters the DACH optical retail market
The Platform Group (TPG), a stock-listed software company based in Düsseldorf, Germany, has announced its entry into the optical and hearing aid market with the acquisition of two local optical retail groups. The investment is the first step in TPG’s long-term strategy to build an omnichannel business in the German-speaking ...
Kering Eyewear acquires Lenti from Safilo
Kering Eyewear is adding another layer to its vertical integration with the acquisition of Lenti, the Italian manufacturer of sunglass lenses that has been part of the Safilo Group since 1996. The companies did not disclose financial details about the agreement.
DEG takes over MENRAD’s house brand and three license deals
Design Eyewear Group is acquiring the MENRAD brand as part of the German eyewear group’s “unfortunate insolvency,” announced at the end of last month. The Danish-based group is also taking over three license agreements that MENRAD had with the Jaguar, JOOP! and Morgan brands.
EssilorLuxottica keeps retail expansion focus on APAC with new acquisition
Malaysian acquisition to add 90 stores to regional retail footprint. Asia-Pacific accounted for 80 percent of new store openings by the group in the last two years.
