Local eyewear brand plans to expand via franchising

CEBU, Philippines - Prompted by the increasing demand from online buyers, a local eyewear brand decided to open its first branch in Visayas and targets to open 20 more branches nationwide.

Sunnies by Charlie finance director Eric Dee Jr., said the increasing demand and clamor from social media prompted the company to open a branch in Cebu. It recently opened an outlet in SM Cebu Northwing.

In line with its expansion plans, the local eyewear brand also recently offered the business for franchising, saying that they were quite overwhelmed with inquiries coming from overseas, from neighboring Singapore to as far as Brazil. Sunnies' franchise package is pegged at P1.5 million to P1.7 million.

Sunnies is co-owned by Bea Soriano, Martine Cajucom, and celebrity Georgina Wilson.

Soriano said despite the interest of potential foreign franchisees, for now they want to focus on their expansion plans within the country and they are eyeing to put up 10 additional company-owned branches nationwide.

She added that they are also planning to put up their own e-commerce websitein March for online shoppers. Currently,Sunnies products can only be availed online through shopping portal Zalora.Prices of Sunnies eyewear range from P249 to P799.

Dee said, "I would say this in confidence that Sunnies by Charlie is your first branded local sunglasses in a long time. We are providing the people a branded and quality eyewear and we don't just sell a product, we sell a lifestyle."

He added that they are also planning to penetrate the department stores to reach a wider market and plans of opening another outlet in Ayala Center Cebu this year is already in the pipeline. He said negotiations with Ayala executives is already ongoing.

Sunnies by Charlie currently has five outlets located in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Pampanga, SM Southmall and SM Cebu and Glorietta.

Branches will also open in Davao next month and in Rockwell by April. (FREEMAN)