The Ray-Ban store in Shibuya, Tokyo

Ray-Ban will open its first ever retail store in Melbourne, on 3 October 2018, which it says will showcase the largest selection of Ray-Ban sunglasses and optical available in Australia, including several limited-edition models available for the first time in that market and exclusive to the store. Ray-Ban says it intends opening in other locations across Australia.

“Australia and New Zealand is a solid market for Luxottica Group, but there was still potential for growth," says Alfonso Cerullo, Luxottica’s general manager for optical retail in Australia & New Zealand. "The Ray-Ban heritage is a tremendous asset, but we need to keep the spirit alive and moving otherwise it’s history. Ray-Ban retail destinations are not only a shop, but a full brand experience." He added this new Ray-Ban store is an important milestone in the expansion of the brand in Australia. "Australian consumers, especially Melburnians, are extremely savvy about quality and trends, and this new Australian boutique will bring them a unique, world-class eyewear experience. Ray-Ban’s story is irrevocably entwined with music and pop culture, and the store will showcase those Ray-Ban classic and iconic styles, along with exciting new collections”.

The Doncaster store will stock over 650 pairs of eyewear,including sunglasses, optical and junior, for a variety of face shapes and sizes (both international and alternative fit), as well as Ray-Ban prescription lenses and premiere avant styles, he said, adding that the store will also have a full-time optometrist and the latest eye care technology to offer comprehensive eye tests.

Global Ray-Ban Brand Director Alessandro Chiarelli said, “This important Melbourne opening follows in the footsteps of our store openings in New York, London, Tokyo and Milan. We want to create an experience and not just a store for Ray-Ban customers. We want to translate the core principles of the Ray-Ban spirit into a physical space, the best expression of the Ray-Ban brand.”

Ray-Ban says it plans to reach approximately 200 stores by the end of the 2018, with by far the majority of these in Greater China. Recent openings include Tokyo, Los Angeles and Kuala Lumpur.