https://www.reuters.com/business/ret...im-2022-03-14/
"Kering to acquire Maui Jim"
I am wondering if anything will change for us. We haven't seen or heard from our Maui Jim rep since before the pandemic. We don't currently carry anything from Kering. Kinda bummed to see another independently owned company get absorbed by another heavy hitter. At least it's not EssiLux though.
Krystle
What are the chances that Maui's policies will improve? I'm not optimistic.Originally Posted by KrystleClear
https://www.reuters.com/business/ret...im-2022-03-14/
"Kering to acquire Maui Jim"
I am wondering if anything will change for us. We haven't seen or heard from our Maui Jim rep since before the pandemic. We don't currently carry anything from Kering. Kinda bummed to see another independently owned company get absorbed by another heavy hitter. At least it's not EssiLux though.
Not a MJ dealer, though I’m liking their ophthalmic line of frames. Kering, IMHO, has improved the Gucci quality over Safilo. We have a good relationship with Kering, and wouldn’t mind entertaining MJs, just not their sun RX program.
I bend light. That is what I do.
Wow. Their independence has always been a huuuuge selling point for us, and not just superficially. I wonder if the recent bedding of VSP had something to do with this. Losing too much money to them I have to imagine. Good time to finally sell for the owners perhaps...
NOOOOOOOOO. We too liked that they were independent. I always found them easy to deal with too. Bummer.
Kering's Gucci is an enormous upgrade over Safilo's, in both styling and material quality. I would expect the same from Maui Jim. If they'll let me add the line without having to carry dozens of frames, I'll seriously consider it.
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The thing is, Maui's quality hasn't been an issue the way that all the licensed brand lines have always been. Regardless of the "premium" label Kering may love to adopt, I'll reserve judgement until we have a chance to see all the changes and "streamlining" that will undoubtedly happen in Peoria. If indeed they're even able to continue operations there at all. History is not kind in relation to buyouts like this. Here's to the hope that precious little changes, and the all but inevitible damage is minor.
We stopped carrying the maui opthalmic collection, but we might bring it back in if Kerring upgrades their quality.
Had a fun time when a customer who had a Maui opthalmic frame needed a new temple. Maui does temple replacements at no cost as long as they have the parts. So I called up and said hey send me the temple. And they said since we no longer carry maui opthalmic we must send the glasses in to be repaired. Just silly.
I doubt anything will change on the Sun side, but I'd be interested to see Kering improve the quality and styling of the opthalmic collection. They did poorly in any of our markets, and reps couldn't build on anything with it. If they bundle the suns and opthalmic together for one account, they'd probably be fine. Would like to see some improvements here and there in the suns. Kering did a tremendous job improving Gucci. Fingers crossed. Otherwise I'mma go pour one out for the last of the three musketeers.
Ironically, my understanding is Safilo still makes Gucci, for Kering, contract through mid 2020's. I guess Safilo can make very nice product, most of the time they just don't bother.
I don't really get the Maui Jim hype.
But FWIW, I have been a Lindberg dealer forever and have noticed not a single difference since Kering took over. It hasn't been that long, but it seems like they know what they are doing. Don't mess with what works.
I agree with you about the Maui hype. I'm a fan of their lenses but the frame materials (except the titanium) and designs leave a lot to be desired.
I personally have 3 pairs of Maui Jim and love them all.
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