Sunglasses are a sought after fashion accessory, and the latest styles promise not to disappoint as they reflect 2013 apparel trends. Bling, bright hues and funky patterns, as well as retro looks in the forms of wayfarers, round Jackie O’s, cat-eye contours and aviators, will be popular sellers at flea markets this season. Sunglasses are a key accessory in anyone’s wardrobe, says Max Levy, buyer and product developer for iZone Group, designer, manufacturer and distributor of UV3 Sunglasses. “More and more, eyewear is being used to emphasize a person’s lifestyle, whether it’s glamorous or earthy. It’s a great way for people to accessorize.” Vibrant colors, including reds, yellows and oranges, and big bold frames will be strong, along with ever popular wayfarers and aviators, Levy points out. “UV3 Sunglasses is introducing fresh, fun versions of these designs. You’re going to see plastic aviators and larger versions of wayfarers. Wayfarers have been really hot in the last few years, and this year you’ll see big tweaks in shapes and color patterns.”
Over the last decade, the UV3 Sunglasses brand has been viewed by millions of people, Levy adds, making it an attractive product to sell at flea markets. “UV3 not only has a superior quality product, but it is also instantly recognizable. We experience strong sales across the country year after year, and many consumers know our brand. Our products, especially our polarized line, are ideal for sitting at the beach, driving in a car, sailing, fishing, any outdoor activity.”
UV3 Sunglasses are available in two lines, standard and polarized. Standard UV3 sunglasses wholesale for $4.25 and retail for $14.99, and UV3+ polarized sunglasses wholesale for $6.75 and retail for $29.99. Vendors will receive special pricing upon calling the company and referring to this article. Also of interest, UV3 Sunglasses has a print shop in its warehouse and offers sellers custom point of purchase fixtures, as well as standard displays.
Kirk Bachelder, CEO of CTS Wholesale Sunglasses, concurs that wayfarers are where it’s at this spring. With more than 25 years in the sunglasses business, having been a retailer of the product prior to entering the wholesale business in 2005, Bachelder has a keen eye for industry trends. “In January, we got a brand new shipment in of a lot of colorful wayfarers. They were big last year and they’ll be a huge seller this spring, too. Wayfarers were popular in the 80s, and fashions that have been popular in the past seem to cycle back.” The wayfarer style also is popular because people tend to follow what celebrities are wearing, he states, and they are wearing wayfarers. Neon colors, distinctive patterns, like polka dots, and add-ons, such as bows, will be popular for 2013, he adds. “We also expect animal themed glasses, such as cats and those with leopard and tiger prints, to do well.” Novelty glasses may be another hot item. “We have brand new pixel design glasses, like the pixels on a computer monitor. I think these are going to do well for us.” Another look that went hot and cold and is expected to be hot again this year is the aviator, especially with mirrored lenses. “We have specialty ones, such as one that has an American flag pattern on the lens. Those will be good for the Fourth of July.” The company has more than 700 versions from which retailers can choose.
CTS Wholesale merchandise wholesales for $8 to $40 per dozen, with the average price being $20 a dozen. The company offers additional discounts of 10, 15 and 20 percent, based on volume. Retail prices range from $10 to $20, with the higher price for polarized glasses. There is no minimum order. CTS Wholesale Sunglasses has about 35 counter top and floor displays, which can be purchased separately or as a package deal. “We select our best sellers and load a display. For example, 96 pairs of sunglasses and a display wholesale for $215 and have a retail value of $955, so it’s a nice markup,” Bachelder asserts. “We have a 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse and our website is really up to date,” he stresses. “When retailers place an order with us, we have everything in stock ready to ship, and we usually ship the same day orders are placed.” In addition to fast product delivery, CTS Wholesale Sunglasses is big on customer support. “We have live chat on our website or customers can call us toll free. Our customer service is top notch.”
Another wholesaler of sunglasses is Sunny Trading, one of the largest and oldest direct importers of accessories. “We sell designer inspired and sports varieties, many with polarized lenses, as well as safety and reading glasses,” says Sam Huang, VP of the company. “A lot of our customers like to buy polarized sunglasses in a variety of styles. People used to think that they were just for fishing, but we have expanded our line to include casual, designer and sports styles as well.” For spring, Huang expects retro and designer type shades to continue to be popular. “We’re seeing fresh takes on the wayfarer and aviator shapes, and new color introductions, along with the mainstream colors that are always popular.” The company has more than 30 years of experience and a 50,000 square foot warehouse, enabling it to provide a selection of more than 700 of the trendiest sunglasses under the sun. Vendors can check out the company’s website to see the latest products or to order a catalog. Sunny Trading wholesales its merchandise for $30 to $50 per dozen. “Our prices are a little higher than some of our competitors because of the superior quality of our merchandise,” Huang points out. Retail pricing varies by region, he says. “One style might sell for $30 in one city and sell for $10 in another.” Point of purchase displays are sold separately at reasonable prices, Huang notes. “It’s a convenience that we offer our regular customers.” Sunny Trading is flexible on order size but buyers must order individual styles by the dozen. Huang attributes the company’s more than 30 years in business to its incredible selection of glasses along with its great customer service. “We deal more with quality than anything and people are very happy with our merchandise.”
“The wayfarer is a classic that started in the 50s,” adds Anthony Masiello, president of Mass Vision. “The Hello Kitty design, still a wayfarer, is popular with teenagers.” Mass Vision offers mixed dozens, giving retailers 12 pre-selected looks per dozen, which may be particularly attractive to retailers with small stores and limited space. “We offer six mixes,” Masiello comments. “Our most popular brand is Louis Valentin, which is inspired by Louis Vuitton.” The firm also has a fashion mix and a men’s mix. There are around 500 styles on the website at a time, and the offerings change frequently. Wholesale prices range from $18 to $32 per dozen, and sunglasses retail for around $10 per pair. There is no minimum order. Mass Vision’s 15 different displays, for both counter and floor, are sold separately. The company offers three packages, which include a display and sunglasses. Retailers can purchase, for example, the 24 pair counter spinner with a mirror on the top along with 30 pairs of Mass Vision’s best selling sunglasses for $110.
In addition to wayfarers, retro sunglasses with color translucent frames will be popular this spring, according to Janice Chien, sales manager of PR Sunglasses. “Neon and different colors and finishes are big this year. I’m also seeing neutral colors coming back. For men, sports wraps and aviator styles with new accents and colors are very popular.” PR Sunglasses carries many lines designed for small kiosks and convenience stores, Chien shares. Retail markup is three to five times wholesale prices, which are available upon request. The company also sells displays, both floor and counter, that hold six to 120 pairs of glasses. The minimum order is $100. “We offer the best quality at the lowest prices, and excellent customer service,” Chien stresses. “All our sunglasses are UV protected and have polycarbonate lens.”
Clearly, sunglasses suppliers see eye to eye when it comes to spring trends, and wayfarers are leading the way. Flea market vendors who stock a variety of sunglasses styles, in both brilliant and neutral colors, as well as bold patterns, are sure to catch the eye of the consumer. A variety of styles and price points abound, making sunglasses an attractive product to round out any seller’s line of merchandise.
For more information:
iZone Group / UV3 Sunglasses
24 Link Drive
Rockleigh, NJ 07647
Tel.: 888-496-6301
Fax: 201-750-5678
Email: CustService@izonegroup.com
Website: www.uv3store.com
CTS Wholesale LLC
3525 Brady Ct. N.E.
Salem, OR 97301
Toll Free: 800-796-3486
Tel.: 503-364-3486
Fax: 503-589-4121
Email: info@ctswholesalesunglasses.com
Website: www.ctswholesalesunglasses.com
Sunny Trading, Inc.
8815 NW 33rd Street, #130
Miami, FL 33172
Toll Free: 800-327-0032
Tel.: 305-591-3065
Fax: 305-599-1301
Email: email@sunico.com
Website: sunico.com/stbeta
Mass Vision
315 Halvern Cove
Rochester, NY 14622
Toll Free: 877-609-9968
Tel.: 585-254-3910
Fax: 585-254-4847
Email: sales@massvisionsunglasses.com
Website: www.massvisionsunglasses.com
PR Sunglasses
7596 Harwin Dr.
Houston, TX 77036
Toll Free: 800-777-7656
Tel.: 713-975-8252
Fax: 713-975-8257
Email: info@prsunglasses.com
Website: www.prsunglasses.com