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The Brand Ledger

Costa Del Mar

Performance fishing sunglasses.

Status: Avoid
Founded
1983
HQ
USA
Ownership type
Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent
EssilorLuxottica
Acquired
2019

Ownership

Acquired by EssilorLuxottica in 2019.

Why Avoid

Luxottica.

Sister brands under EssilorLuxottica

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Investigation · April 9, 2026

Your Glasses Got Worse On Purpose

EssilorLuxottica makes your Ray-Bans, sells them through LensCrafters, insures them through EyeMed. Also owns the "independent" brands you thought were alternatives. How one Italian company built a vertical monopoly on your vision.

Read the full investigation