Spy Joins Forces with WestGroupe
Spy has announced a strategic partnership with WestGroupe, appointing the optical powerhouse as the distributor of Spy® optical and sun products in the independent optical channel throughoutCanada. Since 1994, Southern California-based Spy has been innovating sunglasses and goggles design. The addition of ophthalmic frames opens Spy’s reach to customers who have a passion for the brand and the active lifestyle that goes along with it, and who also need vision correction.
“WestGroupe brings more than 50 years of leadership in the optical channel inCanada,” says Jim Sepanek, Spy vice president of optical. “More important is their shared enthusiasm for the brand, their appreciation of those things that Californians and Canadians like to do in the dirt, snow, water and roadways, and belief that Canadians enjoy great style as much as we do south of the border.”
“Spy brings a fresh attitude and stylistic product sensibility to the Canadian market,” says Michael Suliteanu, president of WestGroupe. “Adding Spy to our brand portfolio provides an opportunity for WestGroupe to meet the needs of a rising segment of the market, 18-to-45-year-old thrill-seekers, who are as stylish as they are active.”
WestGroupe will use its Western division sales force to develop Spy with its vast network of independent eyecare professionals throughoutCanada. The initial launch, slated for April 2012, will include 18 optical styles and 12 sun models. While the majority of the sunglasses will be 6-base lifestyle models, four iconic sport styles will also be included in the assortment.
