The company will eventually rebrand the chains to Sunglass Hut
Press release
Luxottica to Enter Mexican Retail Market Through the Acquisition of Two Sunglass Specialty Chains Totaling More Than 70 Stores
MILAN, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Luxottica Group S.p.A. (MTA: LUX; NYSE: LUX), a global leader in the design, manufacturing, distribution and sale of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, today announced that it has entered into an agreement pursuant to which it will acquire Stanza and High Tech, two sunglass specialty retail chains totaling more than 70 stores in Mexico.
This transaction marks Luxottica’s entry into the sun retail business in Mexico, a country with excellent growth potential and where the Group already has a solid presence through its wholesale division. Over time, the stores will be rebranded under the Sunglass Hut brand, the largest sunglass specialty retailer in the world.
“These acquisitions are strategically important in two ways,” said Fabio d’Angelantonio, Luxottica Group’s Executive Vice President, Sun & Luxury Retail. “First, they enable us to establish from day one a very meaningful position in sun retail in Mexico, a very dynamic and fast-growing market. Second, they provide us with an opportunity to strengthen the positioning of our brands and Luxottica’s business overall.”
“Growth in emerging countries and, more generally speaking, in the so-called sun belt, is one of the key pillars for Sunglass Hut’s development,” added d’Angelantonio. “This transaction demonstrates our commitment to making the best use of opportunities that arise across the globe.”
The transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2011, involves a purchase price of approximately Euro 17 million.
The geographic footprint of the two chains in Mexico is complementary. Stanza retail chain operates approximately 40 sunglass retail locations in select department stores and airports in most key Mexican cities, including Mexico City and Playa del Carmen. High Tech retail chain operates approximately 30 sunglass retail locations in select department stores in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Merida under the High Tech, Euro Vision and Top Vision brands.
It is expected that the combined net sales of the two chains for 2011 could reach Euro 15 million.
www.luxottica.com
Luxottica Group S.p.A.
Luxottica Group is a global leader in premium, luxury and sports eyewear with more than 6,350 optical and sun retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa and Europe, and a strong, well-balanced brand portfolio. House brands include Ray-Ban, the world’s most famous sun eyewear brand, Oakley, Vogue, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Arnette and REVO, while licensed brands include Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany and Versace. In addition to a global wholesale network involving 130 different countries, the Group manages leading retail chains in major markets, including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and ILORI in North America, OPSM and Laubman & Pank in Asia-Pacific, LensCrafters in China and Sunglass Hut worldwide. The Group’s products are designed and manufactured at its six manufacturing plants in Italy, two wholly-owned plants in the People’s Republic of China and one plant in the United States devoted to the production of sports eyewear. In 2010, Luxottica Group posted net sales of almost euro 5.8 billion. Additional information on the Group is available at www.luxottica.com. Sunglass Hut is the largest sunglass specialty retailer in the world with more than 2,000 retail locations. With a global reputation for premium sunglass brands, Sunglass Hut offers the latest designer brands along with outstanding customer service. Sunglass Hut stores are located throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Middle East and South Africa.
Sunglass Hut
Sunglass Hut is the largest sunglass specialty retailer in the world with more than 2,000 retail locations. With a global reputation for premium sunglass brands, Sunglass Hut offers the latest designer brands along with outstanding customer service. Sunglass Hut stores are located throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Middle East and South Africa.
