Sunglass Hut
| File:Sunglasshutnew.jpg Current logo | |
| File:Sunglass Hut at Southern Park Mall in Boardman Ohio.jpg Sunglass Hut located inside Southern Park Mall | |
| Formerly | SGH, Sunglass Hut International, Sunglass Hut-Watch Station |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| Industry | Retail - specialty |
| Founded | 1971 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Founder | Sanford L. Ziff |
| Products | Sunglasses, watches, sunglass accessories |
Number of employees | 10,000Template:Fix/category[citation needed] |
| Parent | Luxottica |
| Website | sunglasshut |
Sunglass Hut is an international retailer specializing in sunglasses and related accessories, established in 1971 in Miami, Florida. It operates under the umbrella of the Italian corporation Luxottica Group, recognized as the largest eyewear manufacturer globally.
By late 2008, Luxottica managed 2,286 retail locations worldwide, predominantly branded as Sunglass Hut. This number grew to more than 3,000 stores by 2024.[1] The brand maintains a footprint across regions including India, North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, and the Middle East.[2]
History
The inaugural Sunglass Hut kiosk was introduced by Sanford L. Ziff at Miami's Dadeland Mall in 1971. The concept rapidly expanded to nearly 100 locations by 1986, achieving annual revenues of $24 million.[3]
In 1986, Ziff divested a 75% interest to Kidd, Kamm & Co., an investment firm based in Connecticut, for $35 million while maintaining operational control and partial ownership through his son Dean. The enterprise was then formally incorporated as Sunglass Hut International, Inc.[4]
After retiring in 1989, Ziff retained a 25% share until 1991 when the company's annual sales surpassed $100 million and the family fully exited.[4]
The company went public in 1993 with an initial public offering raising $70 million. By 1996, it commanded a 30% portion of the U.S. sunglass market and expanded its product range to include watches under brands such as Watch Station and Watch World.[5]
Sunglass Hut entered the online retail space in 1998 by launching eCommerce capabilities on its U.S. website.[6]
In February 2001, Luxottica purchased Sunglass Hut for $653 million including debt,[7] acquiring control over more than 1,300 Sunglass Hut outlets along with additional Watch Station and Watch World stores.
Following this acquisition, Luxottica shifted Sunglass Hut’s focus towards fashion-forward eyewear beginning in 2003.[8]
In December 2007, the Watch Station chain was divested to Fossil Inc.[9]
Stores and locations
Sunglass Hut manages close to 2,000 retail locations spanning 20 countries, with 1,562 stores situated in North America, 157 throughout Australia, 44 in New Zealand, and 123 across South Africa. Additional outlets are found in regions including Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and India. By 2015, it had become the leading retailer within U.S. shopping malls.
The company operates through various store formats such as standard retail shops, kiosks inside shopping centers, airport and hotel-based retailers, outlet malls, and upscale "global" flagship stores. It maintains strategic alliances with major retailers like Macy’s, embedding its outlets within their department stores. In 2024, Sunglass Hut broadened its presence by entering Bass Pro Shops locations.
Its international reach covers countries like Australia, China, Thailand, Lebanon, India, the United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Brazil—highlighting a deliberate expansion approach targeting both emerging and mature markets.
Technology
In 2009, Sunglass Hut launched an innovative in-store feature called Social Sun—photo booths that allow customers to virtually try on sunglasses and share their images through email or MMS. This technology enhances customer interaction and enriches the overall shopping experience.
External links
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