DFS Group and Latin American retailer London Supply claimed the Sunglasses Retailer of the Year prize in their respective financial categories at the Sunglasses Awards 2016, which took place at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.
A total of seven awards were given out, with DFS picking up its award in the revenue above US$2 billion category and London Supply scooping the top prize in the below US$2 billion category.
DFS also claimed the Best Marketing Activity for the Sunglasses Category award for its 360° exclusive campaign.
The Best New Sunglasses Environment prize went to Kappé International for its Lounge 2 store at Amsterdam Schiphol, while Dufry claimed the Best Dedicated Sunglasses Sales Team award.
Sydney Airport scooped the Most Supportive Airport Authority for the Sunglasses Category accolade and Lotte Duty Free was awarded the Best Off-Airport Retailer Sunglasses prize.
The Sunglasses Awards 2016 was co-sponsored by De Rigo, Luxottica, Marchon, Marcolin, Maui Jim, Essilor and Kering Eyewear.
The award entries were judged by De Rigo Boutiques & Duty Free Manager Enrico Molin, Essilor Head of Asia Pacific & Global Duty Free Francesco Leccisi, Kering Eyewear Global Head of Travel retail & International Key Accounts Omar Hagi, Luxottica Head of Global Channels Francis Gros, Marchon International Travel Retail Director Erwan le Guennec, Marcolin Worldwide Head of Duty Free & Travel Retail Nina Pan and Maui Jim Director Duty Free Sales Giles Marks.
The judging panel commented: “The Sunglasses Awards was the climax of our 2016 Sunglasses event in Cannes, where this year we launched Vision 2020. This is a common vision for the sunglasses category in travel retail to reach the value of 4% of total travel retail sales in 2020.
“Collectively we support this vision and look forward to building on much of the successes and best practices demonstrated by the 2016 Sunglasses Awards winners, as well as working to continually elevate the category to an ‘expert’ status in travel retail. We’d like to thank all who attended the event, entered these very competitive awards and give our congratulations to all winners.”
