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{{AFC submission|t||ts=20181205155733|u=SortOfStouts|ns=118|demo=}}<!-- Important, do not remove this line before article has been created. -->
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{{AFC comment|1=The submitter asked me to comment, so I am.

After many tries, this article remains essentially promotional, with a major effort on presenting price and details of how to order. Most of the references that are truly RSs treat multiple companies, not this one,and mostthat do treatthis one are essentially advertorials. It might possibly be fixable into a reasonable shorter article, but why should I or any volunteer do that, since this is the work of a paid editor and it is they who will be getting paid. '''[[User:DGG| DGG]]''' ([[User talk:DGG| talk ]]) 09:11, 15 May 2018 (UTC)}}

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{{Use American English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Zenni Optical, Inc.
| name = Zenni Optical
| logo = Zenni Optical.svg
| logo =
| industry =
| former_name = 19dollareyeglasses.com
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| type = [[Privately-held company|Private]]
| fate =
| industry = [[Online shopping]]
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| founded = {{Start date and age|2003|04}} in [[San Rafael, California]], U.S.
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Tibor Láczay|Julia Zhen}}
| founded = 2003
| hq_location_city = [[Novato, California|Novato]], [[California]]
| founders = Tibor Laczay <small>([[CEO]])</small><br/>Julia Zhen <small>([[Chief operating officer|COO]])</small>
| hq_location_city = [[Novato]], [[California]]
| hq_location_country = [[United States|U.S.]]
| hq_location_country = [[United States|U.S.]]
| area_served = <!-- or: | areas_served = -->
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Tibor Láczay {{small|([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}<!--|Julia Zhen {{small|([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])}}|Erik Ritchie {{small|([[Chief commercial officer|CCO]])}}|Gan Bai {{small|([[Chief product officer|CPO]])}}|Ric Lee {{small|([[Chief manufacturing officer|CMO]])}}-->}}
| key_people =
| num_employees = 800
| products = [[Eyewear]]
| num_employees_year = 2014
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| website = {{URL|https://www.zennioptical.com/|zennioptical.com}}
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent =
| website = {{URL|https://www.zennioptical.com/}}
}}
}}


'''Zenni Optical''' is an American online retailer of discount prescription [[eyewear]] based in [[Novato]], [[California]].
'''Zenni Optical, Inc.''' (formerly '''19dollareyeglasses.com''') is an American manufacturer and [[online retailer]] based in [[Novato, California]]. Founded in April 2003 by Tibor Láczay and Julia Zhen, the company sells self-branded [[prescription glasses]] and sunglasses exclusively through their website. Products from the company are produced in China, by a company-owned factory, employing 800 people as of 2014. [[Cross-promotion]] deals with the [[Timo Weiland (brand)|Timo Weiland]] fashion brand, including a temporary [[brick and mortar]] store in [[New York City]], were arranged in 2016.


== History ==
==History==
In April 2003, Tibor Láczay and Julia Zhen founded 19dollareyeglasses.com, a website that sold [[prescription glasses]] for {{US$|19|link=yes}}.<ref name="Forbes 1" /> They later changed the company's name to Zenni Optical, reflecting that their least expensive models became priced around {{US$|8}}.<ref name="The Weekly Standard" /> The company opted for an online-business to more easily reach a boarder consumer basis.<ref name="Forbes 2" /> By August 2008, according to a company representative, they sold 7,000 pairs of glasses on a weekly basis.<ref name="Slate" /> A total of 20 million pairs of glasses had been sold between their foundation and their fifteenth anniversary in April 2018.<ref name="Forbes 3" /> In 2014, the company acquired and moved into [[Novato, California]] offices previously occupied by the ''[[Marin Independent Journal]]'' newspaper.<ref name="Recode" /> They later hired Erik Ritchie as [[chief commercial officer]].<ref name="Cheddar" /> Additional marketing for the company was provided by [[online marketing]] firm [[Wpromote]].<ref name="The Next Web 1" />


Zenni Optical was founded in 2003<ref name="Gate2013">{{cite news | last=McDowell| first=Maghan| title =New passes at glasses — fashion in a blink| newspaper =San Francisco Chronicle| publisher =| date =28 October 2013 | url=https://www.sfgate.com/style/article/New-passes-at-glasses-fashion-in-a-blink-4924474.php | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> by Tibor Laczay ([[CEO]]) and Julia Zhen ([[Chief operating officer|COO]]) in [[San Rafael, California]] as 19dollareyeglasses.com.<ref name="NYT2007">{{cite news | last=Darlin| first=Damon| title =Do-It-Yourself Eyeglass Shopping on the Internet| newspaper =The New York Times| publisher =| date =5 May 2007 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/05/technology/05money.html | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="WUSF">{{cite news | last=Miller| first=Daylina| title =Some Ditching Vision Insurance, Paying Less Out Of Pocket | newspaper =| publisher =WUSF| date =30 November 2017 | url=http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/some-ditching-vision-insurance-paying-less-out-pocket | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="NAWRB">{{cite news | last=| first=| title =7 Small Business Female CEOs You May Not Have Heard Of| newspaper =| publisher =NAWRB| date =4 January 2017 | url=https://www.nawrb.com/7-small-business-female-ceos-may-not-heard/ | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> Its name was changed to Zenni Optical in 2006 after it began selling glasses for less than $19.<ref name="NYT2007"/><ref name="ONN">{{cite news | last=Abraham| first=Zennie| title =Zenni Optical’s Tibor Laczay And Julia Chen Use Zennie Abraham, Zennie62 Name To Piggyback Internet Ads| newspaper =| publisher =''Oakland News Now''| date =9 June 2018 | url=https://oaklandnewsnow.com/index.php/2018/06/09/zenni-com-and-ceo-tibor-laczay-use-zennie-abraham-zennie62-name-to-piggyback-internet-ad/ | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> By 2008, the company claimed it was selling around 7,000 pairs of glasses per week.<ref name="Slate">{{cite news | last=Manjoo| first=Farhad| title =How To Get an Unbelievable, Amazing, Fantastic, Thrilling Deal on New Glasses| newspaper =| publisher =''Slate''| date =27 August 2008 | url=https://slate.com/technology/2008/08/how-to-get-an-unbelievable-thrilling-deal-on-new-glasses.html | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref>
Starting in 2015, select Zenni Optical glasses were provided free of charge with the [[New York City]]-based [[Blink (service)|Blink]] [[Eye examination|vision testing service]].<ref name="The Next Web 2" /> In 2016, Zenni Optical partnered with [[Donna Kang]], [[Alan Eckstein]] and [[Timo Weiland]] to establish a temporary [[brick and mortar]] retail store at Cadillac House in New York City.<ref name="Forbes 1" /><ref name="Inquisitr" /> The store displayed the latest collections from Weiland's [[Timo Weiland (brand)|eponymous fashion brand]] alongside 36 select Zenni Optical frames, including a collection of Weiland's favorites entitled "Timo's Picks".<ref name="Forbes 1" /> The location was open between July and September 2016.<ref name="Forbes 1" /> According to Weiland, the event was a success for Zenni Optical, as their shelves showed the highest traffic at the exhibition.<ref name="Forbes 1" /> As a result of the partnership, the two companies also considered a design collaboration and co-branding deal in February 2017.<ref name="WWD" /> Some Zenni Optical models were subsequently also shown at the 2017 Timo Weiland [[Fashion show|men's fashion show]].<ref name="Forbes 1" />


In 2012, the company purchased a building in Novato, California that had formerly housed the ''[[Marin Independent Journal]]''. It had moved its headquarters there by 2014.<ref name="Recode">{{cite news | last=Bowles| first=Nellie| title =Summertime Silicon Valley Is Party Town for Chinese Investors| newspaper =| publisher =''Recode''| date =5 August 2014 | url=https://www.recode.net/2014/8/5/11629518/summertime-silicon-valley-is-party-town-for-chinese-investors | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="TLH">{{cite news | last=| first=| title =Independent Journal building sold; online shipping company to move in| newspaper =| publisher =Twenty Lake Holdings| date = 30 April 2012| url=http://twentylake.com/265-2/ | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> In 2016, the company partnered with [[Council of Fashion Designers of America|CFDA]] designer, [[Timo Weiland]], on a program called "Timo's Picks" in which Weiland chose a select number of Zenni frames to pair with his 2017 apparel collection.<ref name="Knock">{{cite news | last=Best| first=Cara| title =Zenni Optical and Timo Weiland Unveil “Timo’s Picks” Collaboration| newspaper =| publisher =''The Knockturnal''| date =17 September 2016 | url=https://theknockturnal.com/zenni-optical-and-timo-weiland-unveil-timos-picks-collaboration/ | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> In 2018, Weiland created his own collection for Zenni called "Out of Office."<ref name="Glossy">{{cite news | last=Parisi| first=Danny| title =How Zenni Optical is building brand awareness in the Warby Parker age| newspaper =| publisher =''Glossy''| date = 27 September 2018| url=https://www.glossy.co/fashion/how-zenni-optical-is-building-brand-awareness-in-the-warby-parker-age | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref>
For [[April Fools' Day]] 2018, Zenni Optical and [[Nissin Foods]] jointly announced "Ramen Opticals", glasses specifically designed to complement the consumption of Nissin's [[instant ramen]] brand [[Cup Noodles]], integrating a small electric fan and a detachable magnetic fork into the glasses' frames.<ref name="USA Today" />


That year, Zenni entered into a 5-year marketing partnership with the [[Chicago Bulls]] to have a sponsorship patch on players' jerseys.<ref name="CT">{{cite news | last=Johnson| first=K.C.| title =Bulls jerseys will have a sponsorship patch for the 1st time: 'We took our time because the jersey is somewhat sacred to us'| newspaper =Chicago Tribune| publisher =| date =16 October 2018 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-bulls-jersey-advertisement-zenni-optical-20181016-story.html | accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> It also became the team's "official eyewear partner."<ref name="CBJ">{{cite news | last=Lazare| first=Lewis| title =Chicago Bulls ink first jersey patch deal| newspaper =Chicago Business Journal| publisher =| date =16 October 2018 | url =https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2018/10/16/chicago-bulls-ink-first-jersey-patch-deal.html| accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref> By November 2018, the company had sold a total of around 25 million pairs of glasses.<ref name="CBJ"/><ref name="PCM">{{cite news | last=Horowitz| first=Brian T.| title =Internet Eye Tests: Will You Really Buy Your Next Prescription Online?| newspaper =| publisher =''PC Magazine''| date =4 December 2018 | url =https://www.pcmag.com/article/364983/internet-eye-tests-will-you-really-buy-your-next-prescripti| accessdate =4 December 2018}}</ref>
== Sale ==
Zenni Optical exclusively sells glasses with frames of their own eponymous brand.<ref name="ABC 15" /> On Zenni Optical's website, the user is prompted to input their prescription, prescription type ([[Binocular vision|single vision]], [[bifocals]] or [[progressive lens]]es) and [[pupillary distance]] (PD), and are presented the proprietary frames that support the chosen settings.<ref name="ABC 15" /> As of November 2016, the website provided 1,900 individual frame models.<ref name="HuffPost 1" />

The "Zenni Frame Fit" feature enables the user to upload a portrait of themselves, which is then overlaid with an image of the selected frame, so that the user can virtually test their look with the glasses.<ref name="Business Insider" /><ref name="NBC 12" /> Prices for a pair of Zenni Optical glasses start at {{US$|6.95}};<ref name="Today" /> free accessories include [[anti-scratch coating]] and [[Eye protection|ultraviolet protection]] for lenses, as well as a case and a [[microfiber]] cleaning cloth.<ref name="ABC 15" /> Optional coating for [[Effects of blue light technology|blocking blue light]] can also be selected.<ref name="HuffPost 2" />

=== Production ===
All items are produced in a dedicated factory located in [[Danyang, Jiangsu|Danyang]], China.<ref name="Recode" /> Zenni Optical bought the factory early on to remove the need of a [[Intermediary|middleman]] and effectively reduce production cost.<ref name="Forbes 1" /><ref name="The Globe and Mail" /> The factory employed 800 workers in August 2014,<ref name="Recode" /> and measures 248,000 [[square feet]] as of June 2016.<ref name="The Globe and Mail" />

== Reception ==
Lesley Alderman, writing for ''[[The New York Times]]'', stated that prices for Zenni Optical frames were "a bargain" when to compared to the average frame price of {{US$|118}}, as aggregated by research firm [[VisionWatch]].<ref name="The New York Times 2" /> Similarly, Derek Clark of ''[[Money Crashers]]'' found that prices for a complete pair of glasses were far lower than the [[National Association of Vision Care Plans]]' average of {{US$|263}}.<ref name="Money Crashers" /> Further into his review, Clark argues that Zenni Optical's website was simple and intuitive, which, combined with the site' variety of frames, made for a comfortable from-home shopping experience.<ref name="Money Crashers" /> However, he notes that the absence of a physical frame collection meant that there was no convenient way to try out frames in person, with Zenni Frame Fit only partially making up for it.<ref name="Money Crashers" /> Clark also adds that this subsequently leads to the lack of the custom-fitting that is standard practice at [[optometrician]]s.<ref name="Money Crashers" /> Other issues mentioned include the lack of [[designer brand]]s and a "challenging" [[return policy]].<ref name="Money Crashers" />

In contrast, Clark Howard, talking with Gregory Karp from ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', expressed that Zenni Optical had good [[customer service]].<ref name="Chicago Tribune" /> Lacey Mason from [[WTOP-FM|WTOP]] summarizes Zenni Optical as a website ideal for people who wish to acquire cheap sets of glasses or in general fear losing high amounts of money when choosing the wrong model or losing their glasses.<ref name="WTOP" /> According to ''[[Consumer Reports]]'', Zenni Optical was the most widely used online source for glasses among their readers by January 2015.<ref name="The Washington Post" />

== See also ==
* [[EyeBuyDirect]]
* [[Warby Parker]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="ABC 15">{{cite web |url=https://www.abc15.com/news/smart-shopper/save-money-on-prescription-eyeglasses-with-zenniopticalcom |title=Save money on prescription eyeglasses with Zennioptical.com |first=Daphne |last=Munro |date=October 1, 2013 |website=[[KNXV-TV|ABC 15]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Business Insider">{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/affordable-glasses-eyewear-sites-warby-parker-zenni-optical/ |title=The best places to buy stylish and inexpensive glasses online |first=Amir |last=Ismael |date=September 29, 2017 |website=[[Business Insider]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Cheddar">{{cite web |url=https://cheddar.com/videos/the-big-business-in-online-eyewear |title=The Big Business in Online Eyewear |author= |date=March 15, 2018 |website=[[Cheddar (TV channel)|Cheddar]] |accessdate=April 22, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/chi-ym-spending-0722jul22-story.html |title=Price ranges for glasses prove real eye-opener |first=Gregory |last=Karp |date=July 22, 2007 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Forbes 1">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abinlot/2016/11/10/watch-out-warby-parker-zenni-opticals-affordability-makes-having-an-eyewear-wardrobe-possible/ |title=Watch Out, Warby Parker: Zenni Optical's Affordability Makes Having An Eyewear Wardrobe Possible |first=Ann |last=Binlot |date=November 10, 2016 |website=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Forbes 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-finds/2018/02/07/warby-parker-vs-ambr-vs-zenni-best-prescription-glasses-you-can-order-online/ |title=Warby Parker Vs. Ambr Vs. Zenni: Best Prescription Glasses You Can Order Online |author=Forbes Finds |date=February 7, 2018 |website=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Forbes 3">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2018/04/24/online-eyeglasses-has-explosive-growth-ahead-of-it/ |title=Buying Glasses Online Is Becoming The Norm -- But Growth Will Explode Once Eye Exams Also Go Digital |first=Richard |last=Kestenbaum |date=April 24, 2018 |website=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="HuffPost 1">{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/zenni-optical-fashionable-affordable_us_5a5272cae4b0cd114bdb3471 |title=Zenni Optical – Fashionable & Affordable |first=Ronda |last=Lee |date=January 7, 2018 |website=[[HuffPost]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="HuffPost 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-one-product-you-should-buy-online_us_598e1777e4b0ed1f464c0aac |title=The One Product You Should Buy Online |first=Stewart |last=Wolpin |date=August 11, 2017 |website=[[HuffPost]] |accessdate=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Inquisitr">{{cite web |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4553945/timo-weilands-tim-weiland-donna-kang-and-alan-eckstein-on-working-with-crowne-plaza-and-whats-coming-up/ |title=Timo Weiland's Timo Weiland, Donna Kang, And Alan Eckstein On Working With Crowne Plaza And What's Coming Up |first=Darren |last=Paltrowitz |date=October 17, 2017 |website=[[Inquisitr]] |accessdate=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Money Crashers">{{cite web |url=https://www.moneycrashers.com/zenni-optical-review/ |title=Zenni Optical Review - Buy Cheap Glasses Online |first=Derek |last=Clark |date=October 29, 2010 |website=[[Money Crashers]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="NBC 12">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc12.com/story/23150172/more-bang-for-your-buck-save-money-on-prescription-glasses-online |title=MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Save money on prescription glasses online |first1=Jennifer |last1=Warnick |first2=Shawn |last2=Maclauchlan |date=August 15, 2013 |website=[[WWBT|NBC 12]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Recode">{{cite web |url=https://www.recode.net/2014/8/5/11629518/summertime-silicon-valley-is-party-town-for-chinese-investors |title=Summertime Silicon Valley Is Party Town for Chinese Investors |first=Nellie |last=Bowles |date=August 5, 2014 |website=[[Recode]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Slate">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2008/08/how_to_get_an_unbelievable_amazing_fantastic_thrilling_deal_on_new_glasses.html |title=How To Get an Unbelievable, Amazing, Fantastic, Thrilling Deal on New Glasses |first=Farhad |last=Manjoo |date=August 27, 2008 |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="The Globe and Mail">{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/fashion/peep-this-lay-eyes-on-the-canadian-revolution-ineyewear/article30529980/ |title=VISION QUEST |first1=Odessa Paloma |last1=Parker |first2=Sabrina |last2=Maddeaux |date=June 21, 2016 |website=[[The Globe and Mail]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="The New York Times 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/health/policy/23patient.html |title=Seeing Straight Without Breaking the Bank |first=Lesley |last=Alderman |date=April 8, 2018 |website=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="The Next Web 1">{{cite web |url=https://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2013/04/11/wpromote-founder-answers-questions-via-live-chat-2/ |title=Live now: Wpromote's founder answers your questions via video. Get involved! |first=Scott |last=Gerber |date=April 11, 2013 |website=[[The Next Web]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="The Next Web 2">{{cite web |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/04/22/i-can-see-clearly-now/ |title=Blink brings New Yorkers on-demand vision tests to their home or office |first=Natt |last=Garun |date=April 22, 2015 |website=[[The Next Web]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="The Washington Post">{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/eyeglasses-can-be-expensive-discounters-and-online-merchants-may-be-a-good-option/2015/01/12/c3aa1bec-70c9-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html |title=Eyeglasses can be expensive. Discounters and online merchants may be a good option |author=[[Consumer Reports]] |date=January 22, 2015 |website=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="The Weekly Standard">{{cite web |url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/eli-lehrer/a-cost-curve-that-bent-way-down |title=A Cost Curve That Bent Way Down |first=Eli |last=Lehrer |date=January 28, 2016 |website=[[The Weekly Standard]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Today">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/money/how-save-money-prescription-glasses-contact-lenses-1D79925348 |title=How to save big (and we mean big) on prescription glasses and contacts |first=Lesley |last=Kennedy |date=July 16, 2014 |website=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]] |accessdate=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="USA Today">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/03/31/companies-launch-new-products-april-1/464322002/ |title=Chocolate Whopper? Burger King and others unleash fake news for April Fools' Day |first=Kelly |last=Tyko |date=March 31, 2018 |website=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="WTOP">{{cite web |url=https://wtop.com/news/2012/08/zenniopticalcom-prescription-glasses-from-695/ |title=ZenniOptical.com: Prescription glasses from $6.95 |first=Lacey |last=Mason |date=August 14, 2012 |website=[[WTOP-FM|WTOP]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="WWD">{{cite web |url=http://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/timo-weiland-tests-uniforms-for-crowne-plaza-staffers-plans-direct-to-consumer-e-tail-focus-10775289/ |title=Timo Weiland Tests Uniforms for Crowne Plaza Staffers, Plans Direct-to-Consumer E-tail Focus |first=Rosemary |last=Feitelberg |date=February 2, 2017 |website=[[Women's Wear Daily|WWD]] |accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
}}


==References==
== External links ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Commons category|Zenni Optical}}
* {{Official website|https://www.zennioptical.com/}}


==External links==
[[:Category:2003 establishments in California]]
*[https://www.zennioptical.com/ Official website]
[[:Category:American companies established in 2003]]
[[:Category:Sunglasses]]
[[:Category:Eyewear retailers]]

Revision as of 15:58, 5 December 2018

Zenni Optical
Company typePrivate
Founded2003
FoundersTibor Laczay (CEO)
Julia Zhen (COO)
Headquarters
Novato, California
,
U.S.
ProductsEyewear
Websitewww.zennioptical.com

Zenni Optical is an American online retailer of discount prescription eyewear based in Novato, California.

History

Zenni Optical was founded in 2003[1] by Tibor Laczay (CEO) and Julia Zhen (COO) in San Rafael, California as 19dollareyeglasses.com.[2][3][4] Its name was changed to Zenni Optical in 2006 after it began selling glasses for less than $19.[2][5] By 2008, the company claimed it was selling around 7,000 pairs of glasses per week.[6]

In 2012, the company purchased a building in Novato, California that had formerly housed the Marin Independent Journal. It had moved its headquarters there by 2014.[7][8] In 2016, the company partnered with CFDA designer, Timo Weiland, on a program called "Timo's Picks" in which Weiland chose a select number of Zenni frames to pair with his 2017 apparel collection.[9] In 2018, Weiland created his own collection for Zenni called "Out of Office."[10]

That year, Zenni entered into a 5-year marketing partnership with the Chicago Bulls to have a sponsorship patch on players' jerseys.[11] It also became the team's "official eyewear partner."[12] By November 2018, the company had sold a total of around 25 million pairs of glasses.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ McDowell, Maghan (28 October 2013). "New passes at glasses — fashion in a blink". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b Darlin, Damon (5 May 2007). "Do-It-Yourself Eyeglass Shopping on the Internet". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  3. ^ Miller, Daylina (30 November 2017). "Some Ditching Vision Insurance, Paying Less Out Of Pocket". WUSF. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  4. ^ "7 Small Business Female CEOs You May Not Have Heard Of". NAWRB. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  5. ^ Abraham, Zennie (9 June 2018). "Zenni Optical's Tibor Laczay And Julia Chen Use Zennie Abraham, Zennie62 Name To Piggyback Internet Ads". Oakland News Now. Retrieved 4 December 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Manjoo, Farhad (27 August 2008). "How To Get an Unbelievable, Amazing, Fantastic, Thrilling Deal on New Glasses". Slate. Retrieved 4 December 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Bowles, Nellie (5 August 2014). "Summertime Silicon Valley Is Party Town for Chinese Investors". Recode. Retrieved 4 December 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Independent Journal building sold; online shipping company to move in". Twenty Lake Holdings. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  9. ^ Best, Cara (17 September 2016). "Zenni Optical and Timo Weiland Unveil "Timo's Picks" Collaboration". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 4 December 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Parisi, Danny (27 September 2018). "How Zenni Optical is building brand awareness in the Warby Parker age". Glossy. Retrieved 4 December 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Johnson, K.C. (16 October 2018). "Bulls jerseys will have a sponsorship patch for the 1st time: 'We took our time because the jersey is somewhat sacred to us'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  12. ^ a b Lazare, Lewis (16 October 2018). "Chicago Bulls ink first jersey patch deal". Chicago Business Journal. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  13. ^ Horowitz, Brian T. (4 December 2018). "Internet Eye Tests: Will You Really Buy Your Next Prescription Online?". PC Magazine. Retrieved 4 December 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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