OTIS SUNGLASSES 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Sunglasses 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Otis
Interviewee: Nathan Omodei, CEO

How was the sunglasses market overall in 2024?
It was a very mixed year with some retailers seeing an increase in sales of OTIS while others found it more difficult. There is no doubt cost of living pressures around the globe are making consumers more cautious, however we are also seeing a flight to quality and reliability in the premium end.

What new trends have you seen for sunglasses in board sports for 2025?
Continuing to see an increase in sales towards our premium lens offering in very commercial styles. There has been some strong interest in our new wayfarer shape too.

Which segment of your 2025 offering do you expect to sell best and why?
As the brand awareness continues to grow we’re anticipating our Active category to continue to be the strongest with the Style segment not far behind.

What new frame shapes and colours are in your 2025 offer?
The new OTIS Request Sport answers the call of fashion meets function in a high-coverage frame with subtle blinders. Coming in Matte Black, a Matte Slate Tort and Matte Amberwood Tort, all three colours are really strong. From the Style segment, the Interlude elevates a square frame look with metal temple detail and a keyhole nose bridge. Available in Eco Crystal Fern and Eco Black, this frame is killer.

Which lens technologies from your 2025 offer are most in demand?
The OTIS polarized lens continues to be our top lens with our L.I.T Polar – our colour enhanced option – a close second and growing the fastest as we increase the offering across the range.

Have you introduced any new lens colours and tints in your 2025 offering?
Our Lens colours have remained fairly consistent in recent years with our focus on pairing the best lens with each frame.

Any noteworthy sustainable practices in your production and shipping processes this year?
OTIS is proudly B Corp Certified since November 2022 and we continue to challenge ourselves in delivering more sustainable solutions in the eyewear market. Since OTIS was founded in 2000, we’ve always used mineral glass lenses that are scratch resistant, optically correct and endlessly recyclable. In 2024 our frames are entirely either Eco Acetate or Eco Grilamid and our packaging is entirely plastic free. Our business has offset all Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and are working towards further reducing these emissions. We have recently started using Bio Wrap pallet wrapping for all palletised shipments of our products and encourage all transport provideders to get onto this!

What are your marketing stories?
OTIS marketing stories include evergreen content around our key product pillars of Mineral Glass lenses, eco friendly frame materials and plastic free packaging, interspersed with real life stories around some of our ambassadors.

How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?
We believe product education to retail staff is critical to the success of the brand in store and know first hand that people sell more of what they know best. OTIS has developed a very engaging brand & product education clip that is made available to all retail partners and cut into customer facing snippets. We also provide a Lifetime Warranty on our frames.

Key Products:

REQUEST SPORT – Matte Slate Tort / L.I.T Polar Grey:
REQUEST answers the call of fashion meets function in a high-coverage frame with subtle blinders to increase glare protection and Italian-made ecogrilamid for ultra-lightweight durability. Elite capabilities and comfort to wear all day everyday.

Mineral Glass Lenses
Category 3 – 100% UVA / UVB protection
Eco Grilamid Frame
Viscottica hinges with stainless steel screws
REQUESTS

OUT OF SIGHT – Eco Coffee Gradient / Brown Polar:
OUT OF SIGHT takes the timeless wayfarer silhouette and cuts it with an OTIS edge. We’ve add a contemporary flair to this classic 50s style with wider temples, diamond pin detailing and scratch-resistant mineral glass lenses. The combination of retro and current creates a look that effortlessly complements any style.

Mineral Glass Lenses
Category 3 – 100% UVA / UVB protection
Handmade Acetate frame
Viscottica hinges with stainless steel screws
OUT OF SIGHT

INTERLUDE – Eco Crystal Fern / Brown Polar:
Break out of the mundane with unique style and added interest. INTERLUDE elevates a square frame look with metal temple detail, a keyhole nose bridge, and refined curves to round things out. Made with Eco-Acetate for a high-quality finish that doesn’t cost the earth.

Mineral Glass Lenses
Category 3 – 100% UVA / UVB protection
Handmade Acetate frame
Viscottica hinges with stainless steel screws
INTERLUDE