Ray Ban plans brand launches in early 2007

Ray Ban Sun Optics India, the Indian subsidiary of the euro 4.3 billion Italian Luxottica group, will launch two brands "� Burberry and Polo Ralph Lauren "� in the country in early 2007.

While British brand Burberry, costing between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000, will be positioned at the higher end of the market, Ralph Lauren, priced at around Rs 10,000, will cater to the mid-fashion segment.

Harsh Chopra, managing director, Ray Ban Sun Optics India, said these brands would initially be introduced in top 10 cities, including metros. The company would roll out about 300 models in both sunglasses and frames, he added.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the new collection of Vogue "� the fashion eyewear brand, Chopra said the company would expand the distribution reach of the brand to align it with the Ray Ban distribution network.

"Eighty per cent of Ray Ban customers are men and about the same percentage of Vogue customers women, so it makes sense to have both brands available in the same outlets," the managing director said. While Vogue has been in the country for three years now, its retail presence is still relatively small.

Chopra said the Luxottica group was currently retailing 15 of its international brands (both own and licensed) in the country, but ruled out any plans for entering the retail arena for the group's products.

Globally, the other brands include Bvlgari and Chanel at the upper end of the market, apart from Arnette, Prada and Versace, among others.

The market for premium branded eyewear in the country is pegged at 5 lakh units a year and is said to be growing at 15-20 per cent every year.

"Though small compared to other markets, the Indian market has really accelerated in the last three years," Chopra said.

At present, the break-up between sunglasses and frames is 85:15, but with the market maturing, frames are growing faster than sunglasses.