Sunny side up at Fabris Lane

After record-breaking figures for the sunglass market in 2003, Surrey-based Fabris Lane increased its sales in 2004. Turnover increased 5.7 per cent to £17.5m from 2003, representing retail sales of some £75m.

An increasing portfolio of licensed brands - French Connection, Ben Sherman and Animal - along with own brands  Fabris Lane, M:UK and Monkey Monkey, had a positive effect.

Fabris Lane's export market has grown ... it is again exhibiting at Mido ... particularly in Australia and Northern Europe, and sales in its duty-free markets were up 11.4 per cent. It has also appointed Norville and Optoplast as optical distribution partners, for the Animal and Ben Sherman brands.