Headlines

Booming Online Sunglasses Business Plans Brick-and-Mortar Store

Eyewear is something ‘you really need to try on.’

Published

7 years ago

July 18, 2017

After several years of e-commerce success, Johnny Fly, a seller of sunwear and leather handbags, is opening a physical store in Charlotte.

John Freeman, founder of the five-year-old business, tested a temporary storefront from Black Friday through the holiday season, and things went well, the Charlotte Observer reports. He’s convinced that brick-and-mortar shopping still holds strong appeal for many consumers.

He tells the newspaper: “Eyewear is the kind of thing that you really need to try on. It’s really hard to know it, unless it’s on your face.”

His company sells sunglasses in the $74 to $120 range.

The move from purely online to a mixed “clicks-and-bricks” approach is becoming more common. For example, Warby Parker, which built its business in e-commerce, plans to open 25 stores in 2017.

Read more at the Charlotte Observer

INVISION Staff

Since launching in 2014, INVISION has won 31 international journalism awards for its publication and website, including the prestigious Neal Award for Best Single Issue in 2019. In 2024, the publication celebrates its 10th anniversary of serving eyecare professionals. Contact INVISION's editors at editor@invisionmag.com.

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