Echoes of the Past: Sunglass sales take off

This week in 1975, Optician dedicated much page space to the increasing popularity in sunglasses, heralding them as essential accessories that are ‘accepted in the fashion world’ in the same way that shoes, handbags and jewellery were all thought through and carefully chosen by discerning young women.

Indeed, sunglass sales in the previous four years had increased 60 per cent with prices per frames in the region of 74 to 93 pence. However, it was noted bitterly by one optician who complained that many people ‘still choose their sunglasses like bread from a supermarket – and want to pay the same price too’ but the writer judiciously points out that the optician’s own attitude can drive people ‘to the anonymity of a self-service chemist or department store’ – therefore highlighting the importance of good customer service which very much rings true today.