Maui Jim: Cornering the market

It has been a very busy year for Maui Jim explains Jay Black, vice president of global brand marketing. ‘We do so much as an independent brand within this industry,’ he says pointing to strategic alliances, sports sponsorship and in store activity. That independence is something we use internally and something we are very proud of,’ he says, adding that the company does not have shareholders or licences to worry about. ‘Doing the right thing’ drives Maui Jim’s actions.

‘We want to see independent opticians grow. We don’t open stores, we want independents to have patients going in and getting their expertise. We think there is a threat out there with Essilor Luxottica and the aggressive dominance,’ he says. ‘As they continue bringing everything into the vertical integration of their business.’