Oakley, Inc. has announced the opening of an O Store in Mexico City, Mexico. This O Store is Oakley's eighth international licensed location and will be owned and operated by Grupo Sanborns, S.A. de C.V., a unit of Grupo Carso well-known for its retail strength throughout Central and South America.
“The Mexico City O Store represents a very important international doorway into the Mexican and Latin American market, which we believe will support our overall retail sales objectives throughout the region,” said Oakley founder and Chief Executive Officer Jim Jannard. “Grupo Sanborns' reputation for retail excellence makes it extremely complementary to our business ideology. We look forward to their involvement with the Oakley brand.”
“The Oakley brand is synonymous with quality including the world's most respected eyewear, apparel and accessories,'' commented Carlos Slim Domit, chairman and president of Grupo Sanborns, S.A. de C.V. “We pride ourselves in partnering with the world's most sought after brands and the opportunity to be instrumental in bringing Oakley's retail presence into Mexico strengthens that resolve. We look forward to this relationship and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Tommy Rios, Oakley's current EVP and previous owner of Oakley Mexico until its acquisition by the company in 1995, will become Oakley's exclusive distributor in Mexico and Latin America and have direct involvement with managing the Mexico City O Store(r). This move will coincide with his expected resignation as an employee and officer of Oakley on July 1, 2005.
