Sunglasses Marketing Strategies

Olympic Eyewear, a wholesale sunglasses specialist, offers helpful advice and tips to retailers selling sunglasses. They understand that profits are the bottom line and to help boost these revenues, they recommend:

  • Rotation – Rotating stock regularly is important. Retailers should focus on new product launches or sunglasses that require a dominant display, keeping gender and age groups separated and neatly organized. Organization should include subtypes by style, as this is proven to help generate more revenues. Mixing and matching too many categories makes a display look messy and unorganized, which is proven to be a big turnoff for customers. People will walk around displays to find a certain style, so it’s important they be grouped accordingly for easy display options. Stock should be rotated regularly, as often as every three weeks to a month. Countertop displays are an excellent option as they allow customers to easily spin units and look at all types of models, ultimately taking up less floor space for retailers.
  • Websites – Sunglasses are popular selling accessories online. Companies need to have a professional website that allows customers to easily view sunglasses’ descriptions and pictures. Consider having websites that easily allow stock items to rotate, as this will save money down the road on expensive programming fees.
  • Attention Grabbers – Attention grabbing signs are a great way to generate interest, especially for sunglasses kiosks, as these can easily pass customers by in crowded areas. Successful marketing strategies include highlighting low price items in bold, large fonts. Sales should be in larger fonts and if something is buy one and get another pair at a discount price, the lower of the two prices should always be highlighted to grab a passerby’s attention. Sales and marketing experts agree that the human brain processes the lower number first, which is why it’s an important sales-grabbing technique.
  • Numbers – Companies should keep detailed books about rotation related to revenues. While many companies start out with trial and error experiments, it’s important for companies to keep track of selling trends. Some products may move better when on sale, compared to others, while some products may be seasonal best sellers. Additionally, some products placed at eye-level are more popular sellers when compared to other display locations.
  • Plans – Having a business plan in place is vital to a successful business operation. This includes regular planning and tracking, as well as inventory of day-to-day sales operations and figures.
  • Prices – Instead of entering into pricing wars, small businesses should conduct a competitive analysis and have price elasticity. Olympic Eyewear can offer recommendations for competitive average selling prices, but as with any product, it’s important for businesses to highlight branding, quality and value when selling designer wholesale sunglasses.

Retailers: Organizing Sunglasses

First impressions are everything when selling accessories, including sunglasses. Many retailers find that organization is key when making a profit. A well-organized display can easily outsell one that is unorganized, as it is proven that consumers are more likely to purchase from a store that highlights organization and cleanliness.

Instead of simply purchasing a display unit, retailers need to have an understanding of countertop spinning displays and permanent backlit units. Sunglasses displays especially rely on proper organization, highlighting styles to draw people in and make them try sunglasses on. Professional displays make an excellent first impression on customers, dramatically helping increase sales.

Sunglasses should be grouped and organized by children’s, women’s and men’s styles. Simply put, to make a sunglasses display productive, the items must be grouped properly. Understanding customer demographics is also necessary. If older people are the predominant customer base, then products should be geared towards them and placed carefully at eye level to make sure sunglasses catch their eyes.

Most consumers shop for sunglasses with an idea of what they would like to spend and a general style. Styles should be a subgroup by gender. For example, designer sunglasses should be grouped together, with DG sunglasses and VG sunglasses organized separately. Instead of letting displays look like an afterthought, having a well-organized display with sunglasses tells customers that a retailer is knowledgeable and fully engaged with the product. Rotating stock regularly, often every few weeks, is highly recommended. This does not need to be overly involved and can simply include reversing the inventory order to catch passerby’s attention.

Sunglasses should be placed in the front of a store and always at eye level. If a store has a good selling model, they should consider placing those directly an eye level to make sure that customers view those first. However, if a store has a model that hasn’t been selling well, they may want to consider moving their location, as it may just be a matter of catching potential customers’ wandering eyes to make a particular style sell.

Having a display that appears attractive and clean is critical to successful selling techniques. Customers need to be able to find items quickly and easily, as this entices them to shop and stay in the store. Having a well organized inventory also allows businesses to easily see what styles and models are rapidly selling, what their inventory looks like, when they need to place additional inventory orders, etc.

Olympic Eyewear, a wholesale sunglasses company, understands the importance of selling the latest trendy sunglasses, helping comb through thousands of models and selecting the most popular varieties. This helps take the guess work out of the selection process and allows retailers to focus on what they do best – selling.

Buying Bulk Sunglasses

Many businesses are looking to buy bulk sunglasses in preparation for the spring and summer months. The benefits of buying bulk sunglasses are numerous, which includes substantial price discounts. Many businesses also eliminate recurring expenses by purchasing bulk sunglasses, paying less and selling them for more, which ultimately increases business profits.

When purchasing sunglasses in bulk quantities, businesses should consider the following recommendations:

  • What Is Included – While many bulk sunglasses providers do not offer high quality products, Olympic Eyewear offers high quality designer brands at discount prices. They sell a variety of name brands, including Wayfarer sunglasses, X-Loop sunglasses and VG sunglasses. Buyers can contact Olympic Eyewear directly with questions related to sizes, styles and shapes, including best sellers. Additionally, Olympic Eyewear offers assorted dozen models in a variety of colors, single color sunglasses by the dozen and assorted models by the dozen. They also offer sunglasses accessories and displays, making it easy for retailers to buy inclusive packages for their in-store displays.
  • Inspection – When purchasing bulk sunglasses, retailers should inspect their shipment upon receipt. Looking at the quality, type and protection is important. Additionally, there are a number of different shade styles, including sports styles, fashion sunglasses, retro designs, aviator shades and even designer sunglasses.
  • Additional Benefits – Olympic Eyewear offers substantial volume-based discounts, including 5% off orders over $500, 10% off $1,000 or more, 15% off $3,000 or more and 20% off orders of $5,000 or more. Periodically they also offer special promotions to customers via newsletter subscriptions, offering even more substantial savings.

When selecting the right wholesale sunglasses supplier, customers should make sure they use a reputable supplier that has high quality products, a wide selection of inventory, high reliability, an easy to navigate website, excellent customer relations and competitive pricing.

One of the most profitable products to buy wholesale and sell retail are sunglasses. Two particular designs that stand the test of time and are always good sellers include Aviator-styles and Wayfarer sunglasses. Just as jewelry is always popular, sunglasses are a must have accessory, exuding coolness and sophistication.

Sunglasses come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and types, meaning that people are more apt to purchase multiple pairs to go with a variety of outfits. While sunglasses offer UV protection from outdoor elements, they also give people the opportunity to express their individual sense of fashionable style.

Forgotten Accessories: Trend Alert

Whether someone lives in a tropical climate or a frigid area with abundant snow, sunglasses play an important role in protecting the eyes and making all-important fashion statements. Often a forgotten accessory, sunglasses allow people to look hip and stylish while portraying the ultimate in relaxed demeanor.

The latest sunglasses accessory trends include:

  • Shapes – The latest shapes include octagon frames and lenses. These lend unique angles for facial features. Some of the latest designs come in a variety of bright colors, including acrylic styles, as well as simple wire frames.
  • Something Old – While older folks don oversized eyewear to protect their eyes, younger folks are also turning to this oversized style. Fashion icons, such as Chanel, are creating these oversized trends, adding sophistication and bold fashion statements to any outfit.
  • Prints – Not just for clothing, prints are appearing on sunglasses worldwide. Combining oversized frames with stripes and bold patterns, these easily complement special occasion and everyday outfits.
  • Jewelry – The latest sunglasses styles highlight clear shades, which mimic Lucite jewelry. These add a little facial bling to any attire, while appearing fashionable and statement worthy.
  • Cutouts – The latest styles incorporate cutout designs and see through side view patterns. These sexy designs allow just enough peek-a-boo skin to look super sexy and turn heads.
  • Men’s Designs – The latest men’s trends include Wayfarer sunglasses, including multi-colored hues. Aviator sunglasses are also popular, as they come in a variety of metal colors, including gold and silver.
  • Women’s Sexy Styles – Cat eye styles are voluptuously curvy, feminine and super meow-worthy catty. These are time-honored trends that look fabulous with a chic wardrobe.
  • Round Frames – These are simple, yet classic styles that don’t cost a fortune but always look fabulous.

Other popular trends include pairing bold red sunglasses with red lipstick, which creates the ultimate fun pop of color with any neutral-colored outfit. As neon colors make a comeback into the fashion world, these are rapidly being incorporated into sunglasses trends. Additionally, mirrored styles are an ideal compliment to most outfits, creating a fun and trendy look that is eye catching. Sci-fi inspired trends are also becoming popular, creating unique statements that are adored by today’s younger generation.

Olympic Eyewear offers the latest sunglasses trends, including designer wholesale sunglasses, including X-Loop sunglasses, DG sunglasses, VG sunglasses and many more popular name brands.

 

Sunglasses: A Hot Statement

Spring helps set the fashion trends for the entire summer. This season is no exception, with spring trends helping pave the path for upcoming bold summer styles. As a favorite and timeless fashion accessory, popular sunglass styles include oversized designs, bright colors and fun shapes.

No matter what someone’s face shape, there is a style to compliment all types of features. Helping make classy statements, sunglasses are the absolute must have accessory for men, women and children.

Popular trends to look for this spring include:

  • Bold – Celebrities are opting for bold styles that stand out. Catchy rims, sharp shapes and flared edges are gracing runways worldwide.
  • Colorful – Fresh, bright and jewel-adorned sunglasses help create a unique look, helping set sunglasses apart from the crowd. Colors include a vast array, ranging from reds to blues. With an entire rainbow of hues available, fashion accessory-driven fashionistas can easily coordinate an array of bold colors with every outfit.
  • Cat Eye – Gracing runways once again, cat eye styles are huge this season. Timeless and with the fashion-gracing sense of icon Jackie O, these chic styles can make anyone look like an instant celebrity.
  • Tone on Tone – Instead of the basic solid colors, designers are combining shades and colors to create fun two-tone looks that compliment skin tones. These offer an edgy style that is eye-catching and head turning.
  • Square – For people that have longer faces, square sunglasses offer the ultimate proportioned shape. They also provide a hint of edginess that is classic, exuding sophistication.
  • Colored Lenses – A popular trend includes silver and gold metallic shades, including punchy bursts of green and orange.

Fortunately for retailers, Olympic Eyewear offers the latest sunglasses styles, including Wayfarer sunglasses, X-Loop sunglasses, celebrity-style sunglasses and rhinestone studded accents, as well as sunglasses accessories.

Olympic Eyewear carries name brand styles, helping retailers tap into niche markets. Taking the hassle out of sunglasses research for retailers, Olympic Eyewear stays on top of the latest sunglasses accessory trends, implementing their knowledge of current trends into their latest market offerings. Additionally, they offer assorted dozen models, single color dozen and assorted models by the dozen. As a manufacturer, importer and distributor of the latest designer sunglasses styles and brands, they offer discount pricing, no hidden handling fees, low-price shipping and convenient payment options. They also offer customization options, perfect for company logos.

Spring and Summer 2013: Color Trends

This spring and summer are expected to be hot, lighting up the runways with a variety of bold hues, cool colors and even warm tones. Popular trends include:

  • Base Colors
    • Women’s – Grey, Khaki, Nude and Coppertone
    • Men’s – Grey, Straw and Sand
  • Cool Colors
    • Women’s – Jade, Green Calcite, Celery Root, Olive, Acid, Lilac, Purple, Sky, Crayon Blue, Electric Blue and Ink
    • Men’s – Emerald, Spearmint, Sage, Olive, Limeade, Lilac, Cerulean, Cobalt and Ink
  • Warm Colors
    • Women’s Red, Cinnabar, Peony, Gerber Daisy, Rose Quartz, Peach, Red Orange, Persimmon, Creamsicle, Goldenrod, Canary and Lemondrop
    • Men’s – Fuchsia, Red, Rust, Orange and Goldenrod

As these hues grace the spring and summer clothing lines, so too will complimentary sunglasses frames, styles and patterns follow suit. For people that strive to pair the latest fashion trends with popular accessories, consider the following spring styles:

  • Metallics – Not limited to simply gold and silver, metallics are being seen on everything and all types of accessories, ranging from precious metals to pastels.
  • Sheer – Sheer clothing is in this spring and for those that may not feel comfortable showing off too much skin, consider adding solid layers with sheer overtop.
  • Boho – The latest trend includes the ever-evolving, carefree bohemian look.
  • Welcome Back 60s – Mod prints, short hemlines, vibrant colors and even bouffant hair are gracing runways worldwide, beckoning fashionistas to get a hot cat and burn some rubber!
  • Black and White – Always iconic, this trend mixes the 1960s with black and white, giving it graphic styles of stripes and checks that are simply bold and daring.
  • Androgynous Fashions – Men’s-style suits are now popular for women, with slightly toned down looks that add feminine softness and appeal.
  • Pinafore – Completely innocent and sweet, this classic design has been reinvented to include leather and retro prints.
  • Cut-Aways – Adding windows to clothing to show off a woman’s best assets, cut-away clothing can be subtle, bold, refined or daring.
  • Floral Appliqués – These give any outfit an instant 3-D appeal, while adding soft feminine accents to any style.
  • Crop Tops – Back from the 1980s and taking revenge on teenagers and young adults everywhere, are the latest crop top styles.
  • Brushstroke Prints – These are whimsical and add artist flair to any outfit, adding simple paint splashes and brushstrokes to any clothing canvas.

Olympic Eyewear strives to offer the latest designer wholesale sunglasses, allowing trendsetters and fashion lovers to expand their upcoming spring and summer sunglasses collections. Popular brands include DG sunglasses, VG sunglasses and Wayfarer.

The History of D&G

Olympic Eyewear specializes in selling wholesale D&G sunglasses, including designer wholesale sunglasses brands. D&G stands for Dolce & Gabbana, the high-end Italian fashion empire, started by the now powerhouse couple Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Presented to the public in 1985, and inspired by Anna Magnani and Sophia Loren, this brand has been iconic to the fashion industry since they opened their first store in 1986.

Once popular for designing swimming costumes and underwear, in the late 1980s Dolce & Gabbana began exporting products to the U.S., Japan and other countries. In 1992 they introduced their first perfume and by 1996 they won an Oscar for the best male fragrance. By the late 1990s, Dolce & Gabbana’s sales were approximately $500 million. By 2003, this number had increased to a staggering $633.2 million.

The Dolce&Gabbana brand (without spaces) offers luxury items that are timeless, including eyewear, sunglasses, watches and purses. In fact, in 2010 Madonna did a joint venture with Dolce&Gabbana for a new series of sunglasses – MDG. Seductive, timeless Scarlett Johansson introduced their makeup line in April 2009. They also offer both men’s and women’s fragrances, including the bestseller The One.

D & G is a casual line with urban influence and inspiration. They attempt to be trendsetters instead of simply following the latest fashions. They sell watches and clothing, as well as more high-energy lines. Their trademarks include corsets and bra fastenings as clothing, printed coats and gangster-style pinstripe suits. Their female ads are always classic black and white advertisements in high-end fashion magazines.

Dolce & Gabbana is known for animal prints as well as a select style of controversial advertising campaigns, including a 2007 ad that highlighted models holding knives. In fact, Spain and Italy actually banned an advertisement of a woman’s body being held down by a man, which Dolce & Gabbana claimed was to highlight the products the model was wearing. Debonair Magazine followed suit, dubbing the advertisement “a glorification of gang rape.” It was then declared “one of the most controversial advertisements in fashion history.”

Cult followers of Dolce & Gabbana include Hollywood heavyweights, such as Madonna, the Beckhams and even Sophia Loren. Dolce & Gabbana strives to celebrate the beautiful curves of women’s bodies, a homage to this sultry style that gripped Italy in the late 1980s. Now, the number one fashion designer for Hollywood, they have evolved into a ready-to-wear company and are among the most popular and financially stable fashion moguls worldwide.

Safety Goggle Tips

Most people don’t know that each day, more than 2,000 eye-related injuries are reported to occur in the workplace. With this staggering statistic accompanies monetary losses of more than 300 million annually, directly associated with workers compensation, lost production time and medical expenses. However, anyone who has experienced an eye injury knows that no amount of money can compensate for the loss of eyesight.

Not wearing any form of eye protection is the most common root cause of work-related eye injuries. Most injuries are due to flying objects and particles and secondly, due to chemical related splashes. Businesses and employees should understand the differences between safety glasses, which are acceptable protection against flying debris, and chemical and vapor related protection. In fact, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires that all employers put their employees’ safety first and foremost, providing adequate facial and eye protection.

Safety goggles should have a fit snug, but not impair or inhibit vision or movement. They should be durable, easy to sanitize regularly and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Goggles help protect from specific work-related hazards, helping protect not only the eyes but also the delicate facial tissues surrounding the eyes.

There are three primary types of safety goggles on the market, which includes:

  • Non-Vented Goggles – Offering no venting, these only protect against vapors, liquid, dust and mist. This type of goggle is not gas-proof.
  • Direct Vented Goggles – These allow air to flow from the surrounding work environment into the goggle. These are often used when presented with the possibility of impact hazards and do not offer sufficient protection against vapor or splash hazards.
  • Indirect Vented Goggles – These provide protection via a covered or hooded vent that allows air to move into the goggles, but prevents any liquids from entering. These are appropriate when presented with possible chemical hazards.

Face shields are also an excellent form of secondary protection, helping further protect the eyes and face from any accidents, splashes and debris.

Goggles should be cleaned regularly. Since many safety goggles offer anti-fog lenses, users must be careful not to scratch of damage the lens coating. Using a moistened hand towel, simply wipe and rinse any debris from the glasses and allow them to dry naturally.

Olympic Eyewear specializes in selling a variety of wholesale sunglasses, including a variety of safety goggles. Sold as bulk sunglasses at discounted prices, Olympic Eyewear helps employers spend less money on overhead, while continually ensuring that all employers are adequately protected.

The History of Wayfarer

Olympic Eyewear specializes in carrying name brand sunglasses at wholesale prices. An ever-popular brand is their Wayfarer sunglasses, seen and written about in books, magazines and tabloids for the last six decades. What is the history behind this nationwide sensation?

Designed in 1952 by Raymond Stegeman, this radical design was said to be a mixture of “a mid-century classic to rival Eames chairs and Cadillac tail fins,” as quoted by Stephen Bayley. Manufactured by the sunglasses company Ray-Ban since 1956, this revolutionary sunglasses design literally redefined the eyewear industry. Wayfarers were the ultimate in popularity from the 1950s through the 1960s. Fading from popularity in the 1970s, these classic frames were brought back in 1982 and have enjoyed renewed popularity since the mid-2000s.

Touted as one of the best selling sunglasses designs and one of the most popular, yet enduring fashion statements of the 20th century, Wayfarers have a fascinating history. In fact, their ingenuity and hard work is what put them back on the map in the 1980s. Ray-Ban successfully entered into a contract with Unique Product Placement, located in Burbank, California, to showcase Ray-Bans in several television shows and movies between 1982 and 1987. These placement efforts only recently ended in 2007. Iconic, cult-films that helped boost popularity and sales included Risky Business, Miami Vice, The Breakfast Club, and Moonlighting. Worn by popular movie stars such as Tom Cruise, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Elvis Costello, Madonna, Debbie Harry, Jack Nicholson, U2 and even fashion icon Anna Wintour, Wayfarers made a remarkable comeback. In fact, the pop music video “Sunglasses At Night” was filmed with all the artists wearing Wayfarers. Undoubtedly, the 1980s proved that Wayfarers was a brand name with staying power.

Recently, the cult-hit vampire romance Twilight included Wayfarers and popular artists such as Mary-Kate Olsen, Chloë Sevigny, Katy Perry and Bruno Mars have also been seen sporting this iconic brand. In 2007, Ray-Ban designers noticed the price of classic vintage Wayfarer models on eBay and as a result, responded to popular demand and re-introduced the original Wayfarer design. Ray-Bay was able to create a blockbuster marketing strategy: stage a comeback for the original design, use social media to connect with a younger audience and create a high-profile public relations campaign that relied primarily on Hollywood’s stylish trends and events. By 2008, Wayfarer sales had increased more than 40-percent and these sunglasses are currently available in an assortment of patterns and a variety of colors.

Always to be imitated, but never as good as the original, people have worn sunglasses over the years that simply mimic the classic Wayfarer design, including Audrey Hepburn, Bob Dylan, John F. Kennedy, Roy Orbison, Ryan Adams, Andy Warhol and even Don Johnson. Wayfarer has also inspired an entirely new generation of sunglasses designers, including Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, REM Eyewear, Hugo Boss and Oliver Peoples.

Wearing Sunglasses in the Spring Season is Important

If you are a sunglasses retailer you will soon start to notice a rise in the number of sunglasses sales as spring approaches full bloom and the weather gets increasingly warmer. More people will be getting sunglasses in the coming weeks and months because of the warmer weather; they will be spending more time outdoors and for longer periods, where it is sunnier. However probably not many of these customers will be thinking about the level of UV radiation they are exposed to during our spring season.

In North America, UV radiation, is in fact highest in late spring to early summer. While people tend to think of needing sunglasses for extra special conditions such as a day at the beach during the hottest days of summer, or boating on the water in glare conditions, UV radiation is possible wherever and whenever there is sunlight, whether it is bright or cloudy, which means that sunglasses are advisable year-round.

In any event, as the season warms up, make sure you have your stock of sunglasses to showcase the year’s latest sunglasses trends. Keep your ware in a location in your store where customers see them quickly and easily. On your countertop near the cash register is a good place; a standing rack on the floor in view of the entrance is also good.

Olympic Eyewear carries many discount designer brands like DG Sunglasses, X-Loop Sunglasses, and Locs Sunglasses with popular styles like aviators, cat-eye shapes, and wayfarer sunglasses.Keep a variety of styles to suit your customer’s varied tastes and be ready for spring!