Persol

Italian heritage sunglasses.

Avoid

Founded: 1917
Website: persol.com
HQ: Italy
Ownership type: Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent: EssilorLuxottica
Acquired: 1995

Ownership

Acquired by Luxottica in 1995.

Why Avoid

Luxottica pricing strategy.

Sister brands under EssilorLuxottica

Eyewear · Sunglasses
Ray-Ban
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Sunglasses
Oakley
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Prescription Frames
Oliver Peoples
Status: Avoid

See all 11 sister brands

Eyewear · Sunglasses
Costa Del Mar
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Brick & Mortar
Sunglass Hut
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Brick & Mortar
LensCrafters
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Brick & Mortar
Target Optical
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Brick & Mortar
Pearle Vision
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Online Retailer
EyeBuyDirect
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Sunglasses
Vogue Eyewear
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Online Retailer
Glasses.com
Status: Avoid

Read the full investigation

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

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Ownership

Why Avoid

Sister brands under EssilorLuxottica

Ray-Ban

Oakley

Oliver Peoples

Costa Del Mar

Sunglass Hut

LensCrafters

Target Optical

Pearle Vision

EyeBuyDirect

Vogue Eyewear

Glasses.com

Read the full investigation

Your Glasses Got Worse On Purpose

When the verdict changes, you'll hear first.