Charenton-le-Pont, France and Dubai, UAE (10 May 2023) – EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses, and Chalhoub Group, signed a joint-venture for the development of direct eyewear retail in the GCC region. The agreement aims to shape the eyewear category and achieve new levels of customer service through combining EssilorLuxottica’s eyewear expertise, technology, and brands, with Chalhoub Group’s deep understanding of the region’s consumers and delivery of unforgettable experiences.

The new partnership represents an important step for EssilorLuxottica in raising the segment's visibility and standards by increasing consumer engagement with high quality premium brands. It will also support Chalhoub Group’s expansion into the rapidly growing eyewear category utilising the Group’s expertise in luxury retail.

Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO at EssilorLuxottica, commented: “We are pleased to partner with Chalhoub Group to grow the eyewear category in the highly dynamic region that is the GCC. This move will allow us to complement our existing and deeply rooted network of customers in the region, whom EssilorLuxottica is committed to continue serving with high quality products and solutions. Leveraging on Chalhoub Group’s extensive knowledge and retail presence in the region, we will raise the visibility and quality of the entire industry and reinvent the omnichannel consumer journey together, resulting in a more engaging retail experience for consumers.”

Patrick Chalhoub, Group President at Chalhoub Group, stated: “As we expand into the eyewear category, we are entering a new vertical that has significant potential for growth and innovation with a high demand from our regional luxury consumers. EssilorLuxottica is a partner of choice with their fashionable, elegant products, and brand portfolio; their core values of helping people to “see more and be more”, alongside their growth ambition in the GCC region, complements our Group’s purpose to inspire and delight customers.”

A series of mono-brand and multi-brand stores will be launched in the GCC for EssilorLuxottica’s core and iconic global eyewear brands, including Ray-Ban, Persol, and Oliver Peoples, allowing the brand to expand its global footprint in the GCC region. The unique luxury multi-brand eyewear concept, David Clulow – born in the United Kingdom and well-known among Middle Eastern consumers from London – will also be introduced with new stores set to focus on an elevated customer experience, with unmatched service, along with the best in eyeglass technologies.

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