A question regarding Foster Grant, Polaroid Cool Ray, etc.

[Moss]

Just wondering...

Did a post on Foster Grant today:

http://theeyewearblog.com/vintage-fo...ewear-company/

Which got me wondering...

Question 2 applies especially to those around before 1980.

1) How many pairs of plano sunglasses does everyone here turn over by percentage of sales?

2) Did you ever consider the drug store brands competition on any level?

(I believe the demographic and price point were different enough that there was probably very little overlap during the drug store brands' heyday. Then again prices at opticians were cheaper before licensing became a dominant thing.

I honestly don't know. Many of you are out in the field and would know better than me.)

3) What percentage of sales does plano Ray Ban make up for those who carry it?

4) What are the least expensive plano brands you sell?

5) At what minimum retail price point does the margin on a line of plano sunglasses (or anything) become not worth the shelf space to stock it?

Discuss.

Thanks.

[EyeManDan]

I am surprised from a marketing view point that a frame manufacture has not bought the Foster Grant name and elevated it. Kind of like the Ray-Ban story

[Moss]

I am surprised from a marketing view point that a frame manufacture has not bought the Foster Grant name and elevated it. Kind of like the Ray-Ban story

I agree. Then again for it to make the most business sense Essilor would probably have to raise the price point to a level that might be a problem for FG's retail channels.

[drk]

I don't know what the optical botique's market is for plano sunwear. Probably depends on the location (i.e. distance from the closest SGH.)

As a doctor's office, we concentrate on Rx sun, and we have only occasional plano sales. (Miles to closest SGH, or the "MTCSCH index" is about a 3.5)

As such, we don't want to Rx pure junk. Our lowest retails around $150.

[EyeManDan]

I agree. Then again for it to make the most business sense Essilor would probably have to raise the price point to a level that might be a problem for FG's retail channels.

I used to buy Ray-Bans at swap-meets and fleemarkets

[Moss]

I used to buy Ray-Bans at swap-meets and fleemarkets

New?

B&L had kind of let the brand go to seed in its later years.