On December 23, 2025, VSP Vision, a dominant player in the eyewear market, confirmed its acquisition of Marcolin, a prestigious Italian eyewear group renowned globally. This acquisition, facilitated by private equity firm PAI Partners and minority shareholders, marks a significant development within the eyewear industry.
“The acquisition of Marcolin represents a crucial milestone in our 70-year journey. Our commitment remains toward delivering even greater value to our members, customers, and partners within the VSP network,” stated Michael Guyette, VSP Vision’s president and CEO. “Marcolin’s diverse brand portfolio and exceptional manufacturing capabilities will perfectly integrate with Marchon Eyewear’s existing strengths, boosting our capacity to satisfy the needs of customers globally.”
VSP Vision’s impressive brand roster includes Marchon, one of the most prestigious eyewear companies worldwide. Acquired in 2008 for over $700 million, Marchon holds licenses for notable American brands such as Calvin Klein and Nike, along with luxury labels like Ferragamo and Victoria Beckham.
According to VSP Vision, both Marcolin and Marchon will operate independently moving forward. While the exact financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, industry insiders speculated that PAI aimed for a valuation exceeding 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion).
In 2012, PAI Partners secured a 78.39% ownership stake in Marcolin, purchasing it from shareholders under a mutual agreement. The acquisition was valued at approximately 207 million euros. After pursuing a variety of potential buyers over recent years, VSP’s proposal ultimately stood out among offers from other industry giants.
Marcolin’s extensive product distribution spans over 125 countries. Their diverse lineup features both proprietary brands like Web Eyewear and Ic! Berlin and licensed brands including Tom Ford, Adidas, Christian Louboutin, and many more.
As of the first three quarters of 2025, Marcolin reported revenues of 416.6 million euros, which reflects a 2.1% increase year on year. The EMEA and American markets contributed significantly, yielding 218.6 million euros (+7.6%) and 142.7 million euros (-5.5%), respectively. In contrast, the Asian market showed remarkable recovery in Q3 2025, following a brief slowdown. The company’s EBITDA stood at 68.5 million euros, representing 16.4% of net sales, indicating solid financial health despite a slight dip in total yearly revenues, which were recorded at 545.8 million euros for FY2024.
