Maui Jim has concluded its distribution agreement with all Luxottica-owned retail stores worldwide, effective immediately, Chris Abbruzzese, Maui Jim Vice President of Marketing, announced today.
“This is an amicable decision,” he said. “In recent months, given Luxottica’s long term strategy of vertical integration, it became increasingly clear that the continuation of our relationship was no longer in the best interest of the Maui Jim brand or ultimately, our consumer.”
Maui Jim – the world’s largest independent polarized sunglass maker – will continue to offer consumers its extensive, 200-SKU line through more than 15,000 chain and independent retail outlets, Abbruzzese said. “We are relying on our trade partners, who include the world’s most innovative and successful retailers, to represent Maui Jim and to continue to build awareness for our products and service. Our future rests upon our mutually rewarding relationship, which we will continue to nurture.
“Our loyal global consumer base appreciates our Aloha styling and uncompromising lens quality and service, and Maui Jim fans will still find their favorite models in a wide variety of retail channels,” Abbruzzese said. “For our part, Maui Jim will continue to offer superior support to our retail trade partners and provide them – and consumers – with our full, all-polarized, line of men’s and women’s sunglasses that look great and offer industry-leading performance, in terms of design, protection, and visual acuity.”
Luxottica Group S.p.A. (MTA:LUX, NYSE:LUX), includes Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Optical Shops of Aspen, OPSM, and Bright Eyes.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: For a phone interview with Maui Jim’s Vice President of Marketing, Chris Abbruzzese, contact Martin Kleinman at 718.398.4009.)
