Puma and Kering Eyewear Sign Partnership Agreement For Optical Frames and Sunglasses

Sports company PUMA and Kering Eyewear, a company of PUMA’s majority shareholder Kering, have signed an eyewear partnership agreement for optical frames and sunglasses, fully effective January 2016. The license agreement with PUMA’s current partner for the production and distribution of optical frames and sunglasses Charmant will terminate at the same time.

The first collection by Kering Eyewear – PUMA’s “Collezione Uno” – will be made up of optical frames and sunglasses, which will be divided into three main segments: Performance, Active and Sportstyle. Each product segment is characterized by style, form and combines technology and color, which makes the products distinctive and functional for specific needs and situations. In line with PUMA’s new brand positioning as a sports brand, the range will also include eyewear items specifically designed for Running and playing Golf. The first collection will be officially presented in July 2015.

“A new phase in the world of eyewear is beginning for us,” said Bjørn Gulden, CEO of PUMA. “PUMA’s new brand positioning as a true sports brand means that we need to offer eyewear collections that are able to go beyond the expectations of athletes and to guarantee better performance thanks to continuous quality research and innovation. I would also like to thank Charmant for the good cooperation in the last 12 years. They have not only created a solid foundation for our Eyewear business, but also significantly expanded it and established PUMA Eyewear as a successful brand.”

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear said: “Being a brand leader in sportswear and a strategic brand for the Group, PUMA offers us the extraordinary opportunity of developing an extremely innovative product with notable growth potential, especially in the performance segment, where the technology that we are able to develop will give us a unique positioning in the sports eyewear sector”.

The eyewear collections continue to be available in the PUMA Stores, including PUMA’s Online Store as well as retail stores.

About Puma

PUMA is one of the world’s leading Sports Brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For over 65 years, PUMA has established a history of making fast product designs for the fastest athletes on the planet. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running, Training and Fitness, Golf, and Motorsports. It engages in exciting collaborations with renowned design brands such as Alexander McQueen and Mihara Yasuhiro to bring innovative and fast designs to the sports world. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf, Dobotex and Brandon. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 10,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.