Almost everyone in the world needs glasses at some point in their lives, and China is no exception. In fact, the Chinese market for eyewear is booming, with a growing demand for both prescription and non-prescription glasses.
China’s eyewear market accounts for $13.11 billion. China also has the largest number of eyewear manufacturers and the most complete eyewear products in the world. Indeed there are about 6 000 eyewear manufacturers in the eyewear market in China. In this blog post, we will check which brands attract massive consumers in the eyewear market there.
Nowadays glasses are viewed more as one of the fashion accessories, which motivates consumers, to buy multiple items at once, to exchange at their will, and to trade up for more fashionable or better quality options. A large part Chinese population has myopia, in particular among young people.
China has been gripped by a consequent rise in myopia, today up to 90% of the Chinese population is short-sighted while 60 years ago, this number only accounted for up to 10 to 20% of the global population. The rate of myopia in adolescents and students continues to increase partly because of long hours of classes in schools as well as the excessive use of electronic devices, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones.
This constantly growing myopic population supports the stable growth of consumer demand for glasses and contact lenses. Sunglasses have also recorded a noticeable growth in retail sales in recent years, particularly supported by the demand for regular consumption of the rate of myopia increasing in China.
The eyewear market in China accounted for $13.11 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow up to 416.42 billion by 2024. The segments in the eyewear industry in China are eyeglass frames and spectacle lenses, followed by contact lenses and sunglasses. All of those segments are constantly growing.
The US still has the biggest market (almost $30 billion in 2022), but it’s great news for foreign and local brands, as the market presents a big potential, as more Chinese customers will buy glasses, spectacle frames, contact lenses, and sunglasses in the near future.
About a quarter of the Chinese population rounding up to approximately 300 million Chinese citizens wear glasses or contact lenses. The Chinese market eyewear sells more than 50 million pairs annually. And what is more, almost 94% of the sales in the eyewear market in China are not luxury sales!
The pandemic impacted online sales of glasses. For the first time ever, online sales accounted for more than offline ones. Although the trends have gone down a bit, online and offline sales are still relatively balanced The optical stores represent the most important distribution channel for the glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses segment. Optical stores continue to generate a lot of revenue in the eyewear market, as many consumers prefer to test the glasses before purchase.
Ray-Ban, the global leader in eyewear has opened the first premium eyewear online store (rayban.tmall.com) on Taobao Mall, the business-to-consumer (B2C) platform within Taobao and the most important distribution channel in China.
Ray-Ban’s E-store serves as a key avenue for the brand to launch exclusive premium collections and offer Chinese consumers a wide selection of original and iconic styles. The Ray-Ban online store is a platform for Chinese consumers to preview and purchase new product launches, available in China exclusively through the Ray-Ban Taobao Mall Store.
The online store also offers Ray-Ban’s Asian Fit and Asian Design styles, which are tailored to better suit Asian facial characteristics and tastes.
Ray-ban Official Flagship Store – TmallRay-Ban, one of the world’s most popular eyewear brands, announced that the all-around musician Jackson Wang is appointed as the brand’s global ambassador. Ray-Ban has recently launched a global new brand campaign, #ProudToBelong, a celebration of human moments that connects us to find our sense of belonging through emotions that we relate to Vulnerability & Empathy, Passion & Joy, Confidence & Pride. Among these feelings, passion is one of the strongest and Jackson Wang is the perfect embodiment of such passion. The proof is in his journey from being a successful athlete to a musician.
Christian Dior commonly known as Dior, is a French luxury fashion house controlled and chaired by French businessman Bernard Arnault, who also heads LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group.
Tmall, owned by Alibaba Group, now offers more than 3,000 beauty brands and the proportion of well-known brands the platform supports to launch their online stores. The big-name brands which have official stores on Tmall rose to 84% in 2018 and have been constantly increasing ever since. According to Alibaba, over 3 million women buy at least five fashion and beauty items on Tmall every year.
Moreover, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, luxury and fashion brands are paying even more attention to Chinese e-commerce platforms. Just after launching the brand-new Bobby handbag collection, Dior in China had new, strategic moves.
Christian Dior – Baidu Brand Zone and Website Collection pageLuxury brands have started using WeChat Mini programs in order to insert themselves into China’s digital market and offer a professional experience service on the platform apart from physical shopping. For Chinese Valentine’s Day (Qixi Festival, 2016), Dior launched a WeChat mini program to sell its limited-edition Lady Dior China valentine bag. Chinese customers were able to choose the decorative embroidery patterns, as a result, the bag was sold out within a few hours on the first day of the WeChat Mini marketing campaign.
Chanel is a French company producing haute couture, as well as ready-to-wear, accessories, perfumes, and various luxury products. It has its origins in the fashion house that Coco Chanel created in 1910.
The China market entry of Chanel started at the end of the 1990s. “香奈儿 Xiāngnài’er” is the Chinese version of the brand name of the company. In 1999, the brand opened its first shop in Beijing, since 2013 the brand has been increasing the number of luxury and optical stores located in China due to the demand of Chinese luxury consumers with rising disposable incomes. The brand also has a flagship store in Shanghai, inside the Peninsula hotel (2009).
Chanel decided to enter the Chinese market in the 1990s when the Chinese economy was booming. Whenever important economic growth occurs, the consumers will benefit from it and start to desire high-end products, and a proportion of them will become luxury consumers. Ever since this era, the Chinese luxury market has constantly been increasing every year, adding more sales channels to stimulate sales (especially when it comes to online purchases).
Chanel Chinese WebsiteChanel is developing in the Chinese digital market, they now have their official Chinese website. The brand also made a deal with the e-commerce platform Tmall allowing Chanel to sell their quality products through the platform (2019). This allows Chinese consumers to buy quality products on websites. Most of the time, Chinese consumers go through the luxury brand website to see what they want to buy and then go to real stores to buy multiple products that they selected online.
Prada is one of the most iconic brands in fashion history. The designers behind the brand have continually tried to be innovative while maintaining their classic and refined style.
Italian luxury house Prada is finally getting in the same boat that many of its competitors who have joined the Chinese market months or even years prior, by launching flagship stores on two Chinese e-commerce platforms: Secoo and JD (2019).
PRADA 520 MATHEMATICS OF LOVE campaignPRADA 520 MATHEMATICS OF LOVE campaign explores love in the context of this post-pandemic era, defining love as both universal and specific, timeless yet also connected to the current moment. Starring Prada’s brand ambassador Cai Xunkun, who previously starred in the brand’s Human Code project, the campaign consists of a series of short videos on Weibo, WeChat Channel, and Douyin.
To increase the campaign’s social engagement on the market in China, especially among young consumers, the brand designed a “Prada filter” that allows users to personalize posters with the Prada logo. This helped boost views of the campaign hashtag “Embracing New Norm” to an impressive 410 million.
Oakley is an eyewear brand created by Jim Jannard in 1975 and operated by the Italian company Luxottica Group Milan. Oakley China has its first dedicated store, in Xinjiekou’s Deji Plaza, Nanjing, the Nanjing store is the first Oakley-only store in China, and it is not focused only on optical products. The Nanjing store follows the opening in Shanghai of a major store for the group, half Oakley and half Ray-Ban.
“One Obsession” is the name of one of Oakley’s campaigns (2015), which encouraged people to join the brand’s global network of athlete ambassadors in pursuing their obsessions and living out their passions.
Oakley Wechat – Official AccountUsing the hashtag “#LiveYours” the social movement encouraged fans to join the more than 450 Oakley athletes in sharing and celebrating their favorite places around the world – ranging from a mountain peak to a secret surf spot. The brand then proceeds to reward the #LiveYours participants and those living out their obsession with surprise experiences and access to athletes who serve as inspiration.
Spanning 22 countries, the multi-channel campaign included digital, social, advertising, outdoor, and retail activations, live events, and an enhanced digital experience on the brand’s website. A film was also released on Oakley’s website and all social and digital channels, that features both professional and non-professional athletes.
Gentle Monster is a South Korean sunglasses and optical glasses brand founded by Hankook Kim in Seoul in 2011. Global fashion eyewear brand Gentle Monster is expecting a bigger presence in the Chinese market by opening more stores and seeking various partnerships.
The Korean sunglasses company Gentle Monster announced 2019 the opening of their new Shanghai store via WeChat, the WeChat post took the role of an exhibition curator, using multimedia to explain the inspiration behind every detail. The theme of their Shanghai store was “The Mobitucture,” which is the speculative space in which humans live during the 13th month. The idea of 13 months was created by French animator and artist Ugo Bienvenu, the concept explored human society in a post-apocalypse time, named 13 months.
Gentle Monster x Wujinyan on Weibo – Shanghai Store OpeningAt the end of the post, users had the opportunity to purchase the featured oversized and low bridge-fit sunglasses at low prices (between $200 to $500) via the company’s Mini Program. As expected, the post attracted more than 13,000 page views and around 43 people recommended it. The post also included Chinese actress Wu Jinyan, in a gif format, exploring the interior of the newly opened store.
Bolon Eyewear, the number one domestic brand in China, offers high-quality optical sunglasses with a wide range of products to suit every personality. Bolon is one of the world’s largest spectacles manufacturers and China’s best-known sunglasses brand in the eyewear market. The Bolon brand is positioned as a premium lifestyle brand.
Bolon X Wang Junkai (TF boy – pop singer) on WeiboLeading Chinese eyewear brand Bolon chose US actress Anne Hathaway to become its brand ambassador in China, Southeast Asia, and several other territories. She appeared in a campaign in 2016, which included TV advertising and the internet. A video and pictures were shot in Los Angeles, featuring the brand tagline “My Style, My Bolon”. More recently, Bolon worked with Gal Gadot for a photoshoot series.
The brand collaborates with numerous Chinese Kols and pop stars as well. Campaigns that bring thousands of views and comments each time.
Gucci (also known as Maison Gucci) is an Italian company specializing in ready-to-wear and luxury leather goods, founded in Florence in 1921 by Guccio Gucci.
Gucci joined China’s social media luxury market relatively late compared to other luxury brands, but now Gucci sets social media aesthetic standards. The brand has been able to connect with Chinese consumers in a way no other luxury brand has been able to achieve, becoming increasingly popular in big and small towns.
Interview of Gogoboi by Gucci on their official Bilibili AccountGucci seems to understand better than most luxury brands that social media is not a marketing tool but an extension of the brand. Gucci also seems to design its fashion for social sharing. What’s most interesting is that Gucci’s dominant performance is a global phenomenon.
Gogoboi (Ye Si, 叶嗣) partnered with Gucci to launch his 2017 Holiday Collection on his official WeChat account. This is the first time Gucci offered exclusive online sales via a third-party platform, specifically through a WeChat mini program with a KOL in China. The outcome was worth it as within 5 days, all of the promoted items were sold out.
The Burberry brand dates back to 1856 and rose to fame when Thomas Burberry invented the waterproof gabardine fabric used in outerwear. The Burberry eyewear brand was born a century and a half later, in 2006.
In 2010 Burberry bought out its first Chinese franchise partner for a £70 million deal, allowing the brand to have greater control over its presence in China. Burberry has over 57 stores in 31 cities in Mainland China, including eight in Beijing, nine in Shanghai, and three in Hangzhou.
Burberry in China has accumulated about 1.51 million followers on Weibo, and the number of followers on the Tmall sales platform has now reached 2.16 million and is still increasing.
Back in 2018, Burberry launched its Wechat Mini program on Wechat for Chinese Valentine’s day (Qixi), the mini-program campaign took the form of a game. The campaign encouraged fans to play the game with their partners. After completing the game, they were able to access Burberry’s latest collection, which included two Qixi bags sold exclusively in China.
Louis Vuitton, commonly referred to as LV, is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton, it is a French multinational apparels and accessories company headquartered in Paris, France. The brand sells its products through standalone boutiques, lease departments in high-end department stores, and the e-commerce section of its website.
LV Pop-up Store in Beijing during Qixi and Post from LV Red AccountIn June 2019, Louis Vuitton’s digital marketing innovation in China took another step, becoming the first luxury brand in mainland China to invite fashion bloggers to take over the brand’s official WeChat public account and the first luxury brand to open a Xiaohongshu account. Louis Vuitton’s Xiaohongshu account is aimed at improving visibility by raising topics and discussion on newly released products and the promotion on Xiaohongshu is mainly targeting young Chinese consumers.
Creating and setting up an efficient digital marketing strategy, may not be within everyone’s reach, but with our help, you can efficiently achieve your goals.
Gentleman Marketing Agency is an agency based in Shanghai, China. We are specialized in digital marketing with different services including lead generation, e-commerce, and branding.
You can contact us to discuss your project with us, we would gladly help you!
Are you planning to start the sunglasses business? There are hundreds of reasons for launching a sunglasses brand. Even the market demand is relatively HIGH.
You can estimate it from the Statista statistics about the sunglasses. According to Statista, the sunglasses industry stands at 24.55 BILLION USD. And it is growing at an annual rate of 4.86%.
Isn’t it enough to know the peak market demand for sunglasses?
Before commencing your business journey, one thing is for sure: you must have sunglass makers. Do you have that? If not, it’s not a BIG deal. I have made a LIST of sunglass brands.
Let’s know!
1. Sunglasses Basics
1) What is a sunglasses manufacturing business?
The glasses business has been on the top for many years. All is possible due to their excess use. Do you know the reason?
It is a fashion item. That means you can go to the party. Wear them. And impress your guests. Above all, the glasses business is rising. So, it can be a hit of the moment to start making money.
For that, you need to OPEN an online store. Or have a local shop. Only then can you list the glasses items. And attract more buyers to make money.
2) Is it profitable to sell glasses?
Yes. It is 100% lucrative. Usually, you can save 30-50% per sunglasses item. Isn’t it a high margin?
For example:
You start an online store on Amazon. List the items up to 50 items. And invest 10K USD in the business. It depends on the sale. If you generate 5K USD sales, your profit is 20%. Then, you will make 1K USD per month or week.
For store owners, 1K USD is not a lesser amount. You can make more profits with the right eyeglass manufacturing companies.
3) Why should I start the glasses business?
Not one or two reasons are enough to start the glasses business. What is more crucial is the money? It is one’s target to achieve.
Apart from that, this business is relatively easy. You don’t have to invest a fortune. Only a few hundred bucks are enough to ignite the process.
To know more reasons, I have made a list of benefits. Check it out below.
2. Why should you work with Chinese Sunglass companies?
Maybe you wonder about custom eyewear manufacturers from China? Why you should not talk to USA suppliers.
The reason is a one-stop service. Complete shipment. Lower prices. And better facilities. Here is the list of benefits you get.
1) Lower prices
Want to become a billionaire? I am not joking; it is possible. Lower prices are the first rule of the business. And the Chinese follow it well.
Plus, you get access to many eyeglass manufacturing companies. That increases your simple approach to multiple suppliers. Ensure a fast deal. And brings up the best rates.
2) Quality Control
9 out of 10 businesses fail. Do you know the reason? They do not sell quality products. And do not get enough buyers as well.
That is the time you should make a name. And quality control is the right approach.
3) Bulk Production setup
Running out of products pauses your business. Not only do back orders increase, but customers also move to another buyer.
But bulk production can have a high stock. And make ongoing sales.
4) Custom sunglasses manufacturers
One way to win more clients is to ensure the features that they want. And it is something custom suppliers help you do.
You can get the desired quality and quantity of specs.
5) Private label sunglasses
Do you know how brands like Zara survive? They go for private labeling. It saves costs. And gives an upper hand over the rivals with premium quality glasses.
China suppliers provide this facility, too.
6) Easy talk
Maybe you think Language is a barrier. Yes, it is. But most suppliers know English. That makes the whole talk easier and better.
Plus, you get access to sourcing agents. They can solve this problem instantly.
7) Complete shipments
Shipment is a HEADACHE. Products don’t reach your home. Sometimes, you are out of the delivery area.
But that is not a problem. Chinese suppliers take your products to your location with a guarantee.
3. What should you look for in your Favorite Sunglasses manufacturers?
Are you finding eyeglasses manufacturers? The right supplier can be a tough job. But no worries at all. I have picked up some golden points. And helped you pick the right supplier in the blink of an eye.
Here are points to look for in a supplier.
1) Popularity of the sunglasses manufacturer
Popular means reliable supplier. That is like a filter to make the best choice. Therefore, take a look around. Know the most popular supplier.
And then talk to verify the quality!
2) Customer satisfaction rate
Does your supplier offer premium support? Only a reliable supplier focuses on customers. And pays heed to your issues.
Therefore, find suppliers with relatively high customer service.
3) Check the Quality Control Setup.
Do you want to ensure the best quality? Find a credible supplier. It is better to test the quality in your labs. For manual inspection, you can even visit the factory. Test the tools. And verify the product grade is the best.
4) How much profit margins do you make?
Do you want to make a higher profit? One simple strategy. Check the margins. Buy at low prices. And sell at a high.
And that is possible when your SUPPLIER offers a highly integral stock.
5) Does a sunglasses factory give certificates?
If you plan to sell in the US or UK market, one thing’s for sure— safety credentials. You can’t sell without those certificates.
Ensure your supplier provides the certificates.
6) Does your supplier allow white-label sunglasses?
White-label products are often branded items that brands sell under their label. You can get such quality glasses. And sell them under their brand name.
It will improve your brand presence.
4. Top 22 Sunglass Manufacturers from China
Chinese eyewear manufacturing companies are quite famous for their pricing and quality.
Here is the list of the 22 most popular eyewear manufacturers who provide US-MADE sunglasses of the best quality. Know them here.
1) Seasun Glasses
SeaSun is a TOP eyewear manufacturer. It has the best infrastructures with high-end tools for making sunglasses.
Its clients are Coca-Cola, Adidas, H&M, etc. They export 70% of their business sunglasses.
Here is why you should choose this sunglass factory.
2) Cheng Yi Optical
Cheng Yi has been selling sunglasses items for more than 40 years. Founded in 1978, it has invested a lot in creating original sunglasses.
Their long-term partners are from the US or Europe. Here are the key benefits of this supplier.
3) Shenzhen Gonbes Technology Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Gonbes has its headquarters in Guangdong. It has a high production, shipping up to 5 million pairs of products across multiple countries.
They invest in research and development and bring out the best technical products to support consumers.
Here are some pros.
4) Raymio Eyewear Co., Ltd.
Raymio Eyewear looks to be a new brand, but it is not in terms of quality. Founded in 2020, it has a large manufacturing plant. Quality equipment facility. And shipping to different countries like the US and UK.
Here are some pros.
5) FC Optics
You can consider it the best sunglasses supplier. Quality and pricing are both best at FC Optics.
They have a big sunglass factory. And export 90% of their products to foreign countries. You get what others don’t provide.
Here are some pros.
6) Xiamen Langxue Spectacles Co., Ltd.
It is not a new supplier in the market. With 20+ years in the sunglasses market, it has some serious quality stuff. They allow you to test the products.
You can get custom services as well. Here are some pros of this supplier.
7) Wenzhou Readsun Optical Co., Ltd.
If I had to recommend a supplier, Wenzhou Readsun would make a top place. 12000 meter square factory. Four production lines. 100 staff members. What else do you even expect to make a supplier perfect?
Quality is also there. They have sold their sunglasses to famous American brands. Here are some key benefits of working with this supplier.
8) Wenzhou G&D Glasses Co., Ltd.
Wenzhou G&D does not compromise the quality. Founded in 1999, it has served thousands of buyers all around the globe.
200 full-time employees. Four production lines. And annual 700K sunglasses production is no less than the PYRAMIDS of Gaza.
Here are some positive points about this supplier.
9) SKY & Sea Intl Sunglasses
Sky and Sea is not new to the INDUSTRY. Having a large setup, it has won many feats in the industry. Not only is the product quality reliable but also the transport system. It is truly a fortune to work with this supplier.
It has 200 employees and thousands of eyewear items. In a snap of a finger, you’ll be a digger exploring the best products.
Here are some key benefits of this sunglasses supplier.
10) Taizhou Youto Glasses
Another giant in the Sunglasses manufacturers is the Taizhou Youto Glasses. It has ten production lines. And produce 5 million sunglasses annually. Unbelievable fact!
Founded in 2010, it has served consumers all around the globe. Here are some key points about this supplier.
11) Sky & Sea Optical
It is one of the most renowned sunglasses suppliers across the world. Founded in 2007, it has been leading the market for years.
They have five production lines. And follow International standards. Here are some pros of this supplier.
12) SUNOK Glasses
When we talk about the sunglasses world, how can you even forget the Sunok sunglasses? Sunok is a TOP sunglasses manufacturer that has achieved milestones in the sunglasses industry.
Here are some of its benefits.
13) Sunhaven Optical
Founded in 1983, Sunhaven has brought buyers to the sunglasses heaven. A high collection. Complete shipment to their locations. And above all, the quality manufacturing. All you are going to get from this supplier.
Here is more you can get.
14) Wenzhou Lenlook International Trade Co., Ltd.
Lenlook is the kingmaker of the eyewear field. It has been working for the past fifteen years. They focus on the product quality. And give their best to impress you.
Here are some benefits of working with this supplier.
15) Yiwu CONCHEN Glasses Co., Ltd.
It is one of the top custom sunglasses manufacturers, putting your business on the top. Top quality. Best staff. All you have to do is to contact them. Get the quote. And decide on their quality items.
Curious to know more about the benefits? Read them here.
16) Xiamen Jiayu Optical Co., Ltd.
Xiamen Jiayu Optical has had a market presence for 15+ years. Best quality. Wide collection. And many more sunglasses products you can get.
Here are some pros of this supplier.
17) Wenzhou Sanshan Optical Co., Ltd.
Sanshan Optical has built its name in the international market. Over 30 million users are enough to GUARANTEE its best quality.
Founded in 1999, it has served thousands of consumers around the globe. There are many benefits to working with this supplier. These include:
18) Taizhou Cramilo Glasses Co., Ltd
Taizhou Cramilo Glasses are famous for their quality, private labeling, and bulk production. This supplier facilitates buyers. And builds a long-term relationship with them.
There are many benefits to working with them.
19) Wenzhou Kangjing Optics Co., Ltd
It is one of the best sunglasses companies. Their best thing is the R&D process. They go on introducing new rules. Help you get made-in-USA sunglasses that sell in the USA and worldwide.
Want to know more about their benefits? These are:
20) Taizhou Jiaojiang Dubery E-Commerce Co., Ltd.
I want to KEEP it on the list of TOP sunglasses manufacturers USA; no doubt it belongs to China. However, complete shipping facilities do not restrict their business to China only. Buyers can quickly ship products. Get more business expansion. And enter the US market.
Here are some benefits.
21) Wenzhou Faith Import & Export Co., Ltd.
Are you looking for the best Sun glass manufacturers in CHINA? Don’t forget Faith Import and Export. They have an experience of 20+ years. And know how to sell quality sunglasses.
Here are some of the critical benefits of this sunglass manufacturer.
22) Zhejiang Boom Glasses Co., Ltd.
Boom glasses are where an eyewear company has to invest a lot. They have an efficient supply chain. And introduce new technological equipment to improve the production of sunglasses.
Here are some benefits of the suppliers.
5. FAQs
1) How much do you make when selling sunglasses?
It all depends on your business. If your sales are 100K USD per month, you can make up to 20-30K USD per month. The margins for Made in America Sunglasses can be up to 50-100%. Keep that in mind when starting the business!
2) Who is the largest manufacturer of sunglass products?
Italy is the largest sunglasses manufacturer, exporting 3.3 billion USD in sunglasses. China comes in second place with 2.1 billion USD in sunglasses exports. The USA, France, Japan, and the Netherlands are other popular manufacturing countries.
3) Which brand is Famous among Sunglass manufacturers?
Ray-Ban always comes on the top when it comes to sunglasses. It was founded in 1936 as sunglass manufacturers USA. But now, it is not only in the TOP AMERICAN sunglasses brands but also in the whole world.
4) Which Quality of sunglasses is best?
UV rays blocking sunglasses are considered to be the best quality sunglasses. They have high strength and keep eyes safe with 100% protection from UV light.
5) How should I grab Quality sunglasses from sunglass vendors?
Deploy quality control in the production process of lowercase glasses. It will give you an idea of QUALITY manufacturing. And help you grab better-quality Polarized sunglasses made in USA.
Endnote
Have you got the proper American-made sunglasses manufacturer? If yes, that would be the best. Otherwise, you should list some top-quality sunglasses made in America. Ask your supplier to provide that—test quality. And build long-term relationships.
That is the secret to lower prices when you have a strong and permanent connection with your sunglasses suppliers.