Bright Eyes Sunglasses is a company that was established in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, by Robert and Antonina (Ann) Johnstone, in 1985.[1] By 1995, the chain included 115 stores. In 1997 the franchise was sold to Ian Thomas, a Cairns property developer. Ian Thomas reduced the stores from 112 to 85 removing the unprofitable stores strengthening the brand and growing the gross profit of the group by 50%.
In 2000, Bright Eyes was sold to a consortium of three businessmen: Geoff Harbert, Graham Bradshaw, and Ralph Edwards. By 2003, 10 franchise stores and 19 company-owned stores. The full chain's 2003 turnover reached A$6.7 million. Harbert stated in 2004 that some stores were expanding their product lines, in order to remain profitable.[2]
The company having grown to 155 stores, 1/3 of which company run, eventually came under the control of Oakley, Inc.,[3] which was itself purchased by Luxottica in 2007, transferring ownership of the chain to Luxottica. The takeover resulted in Luxottica becoming "by far the biggest eyewear chain in Australia."[4]
In 2008 Luxottica having reduced the business to 47 stores, sold the business back to business partners Ralph Edwards and Geoff Harbert.