Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica takes 5% stake in Nikon

Reuters reports Franco-Italian eyeglass maker EssilorLuxottica is deepening its ties with Japan’s Nikon Corp. by taking a stake in the camera above 5%, as a long-term financial investment to support the company and its management. The 5.1% stake corresponds to 170 million euro ($187 million) investment, according to a regulatory filing and LSEG data cited by Reuters. EssilorLuxottica has brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Vogue Eyewear, Arnette, Alain Mikli, Costa, Bliz, Native Eyewear and Bolon. The company also licenses these brands: Giorgio Armani, Brunello Cucinelli, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce&Gabbana, Ferrari, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Moncler, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Starck Biotech Paris, Swarovski, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch and Versace.

Since 2000, the companies have operated a joint venture called Nikon-Essilor, which is a wholesale lens business entity based in Tokyo serving regional and global customers.