Global eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica has acquired a significant stake in Thai optical retailer Top Charoen, strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia and tightening its grip on one of the region’s fastest-growing eyewear markets.
The deal, announced on April 2, positions EssilorLuxottica as a strategic partner in Top Charoen, Thailand’s largest optical retail network with more than 2,000 stores nationwide. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The move builds on an existing relationship between the two companies and is aimed at expanding EssilorLuxottica’s retail and distribution footprint in Thailand, a market the company considers key to its global manufacturing and commercial operations.
Top Charoen, founded in 1947, has grown from a mobile eyewear service into a multi-brand retail powerhouse with both physical stores and online channels. Its portfolio includes several retail formats catering to different consumer segments, making it a critical gateway to Thailand’s mass and mid-market eyewear demand.
In a joint statement, CEO Francesco Milleri and deputy CEO Paul du Saillant said the partnership would “strengthen our presence in one of the major Asian markets” and support the development of eyecare and emerging wearables categories in the region.
The investment is part of EssilorLuxottica’s broader strategy to scale its direct-to-consumer reach and integrate retail networks globally. The company, which reported revenues of over €28 billion in 2025, has been steadily expanding through acquisitions and partnerships to control more of the eyewear value chain, from manufacturing to distribution.
With this move, EssilorLuxottica not only gains deeper market access in Thailand but also strengthens its positioning in Asia’s broader optical retail landscape, where scale, distribution, and consumer proximity are becoming decisive competitive advantages.
