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Non-Tech : Sunglass Hut RAYS- Will it ever breakout? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: marc chatman who wrote (828)	3/17/1998 10:08:00 AM
From: StormRider	Respond to of 971

Why am I not surprised? (eom)

To: marc chatman who wrote (828)	3/17/1998 7:06:00 PM
From: marc chatman	Respond to of 971

Another RAYS article: Bausch & Lomb Says Sunglass Hut's New Merchandising Strategy Will Have Long-Term Benefit for the Premium Sunglass Industry ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (NYSE: BOL), the global leader in the premium sunglass industry, today applauded Sunglass Hut's (Nasdaq: RAYS) new merchandising strategy which includes the reduction of vendors and range of sunglass styles the specialty chain carries. Bausch & Lomb was responding to Sunglass Hut's fourth-quarter earnings announcement, in which the retailer explained its goal to put more of its resources behind selected sunglass brands in the market. "Our consistent position has been that the market has not been well served by the proliferation of sunglass brands," said William M. Carpenter, president and chief executive officer of Bausch & Lomb. "Retailer inventories have swelled, in-store clutter has confused consumers, and industry profits have dropped. The consolidation announced by Sunglass Hut today was inevitable. "We believe this consolidation will provide a long-term benefit to Bausch & Lomb and the premium sunglass industry. Sunglass Hut's actions will result in more merchandise clarity and focus, greater emphasis on consumer marketing, stronger vendor/retailer relationships, more shelf space for leading brands, and less confusion for the consumer," added Carpenter. "We are confident that our brands will continue to have widespread distribution in the approximately 2,000 Sunglass Hut locations around the world." With sunglass brands that cover every segment of the premium sunglass market, such as Ray-Ban(R), Revo(R), Killer Loop(R) and Arnette(TM), Bausch & Lomb is the leading sunglass manufacturer in the world. "We are committed to supporting our brands and retail partners with exciting new styles and focused consumer-marketing programs," said Carpenter. "I am pleased that the new direction Sunglass Hut is taking is consistent with our marketing strategy." This press release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business performance of Bausch & Lomb. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including those concerning economic conditions, product development and introduction, the financial well-being of key customers, the successful execution of marketing strategies, the continued successful implementation of the restructuring effort in reducing costs and expenses of manufacturing processes and administrative functions, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27, 1997. Bausch & Lomb Incorporated is a global eye care company dedicated to helping consumers see, look and feel better through innovative technology and design. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses, lens-care products, premium sunglasses and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The company is advantaged with some of the most respected brands in the world starting with its name, Bausch & Lomb(R), and including Ray-Ban(R), Arnette(TM), Curel(R), SofLens66(TM), Boston(R), Killer Loop(R), ReNu(R) and Storz(R). Founded in 1853 in Rochester, N.Y., where it continues to have its headquarters, the company has annual revenues of approximately $2 billion and employs more than 15,000 people in 35 countries. Bausch & Lomb products are available in more than 100 countries around the world. bausch.com.