fashion sunglasses

China fashion sunglasses suppliers continue to rely on their traditional strengths: OEM work, high output and low price. But as competition among export suppliers in China heats up, more makers are adding a fourth dimension to attract buyers — the capability to develop unique designs. With exports reaching an estimated US$370 million in 2004, China produces sunglasses in fashion, sports and children's models. While low-end and midrange models still dominate output, the number of high-end designs being offered is increasing, even as quality and innovation in all price ranges improve. More China suppliers are realizing that offering the world's lowest prices is no longer enough to ensure survival. As a result, R&D expenditure is rising as the country's 300 or so exporters compete to launch designs with special features. Of the 73 suppliers featured in this report, 71 percent plan to boost R&D spending in 2005. Even in Wenzhou, China's main hub of low-end production, more fashion sunglasses suppliers over the past couple of years have enriched their lines by investing in development of value-added models. China fashion sunglasses makers see frames, not lenses, as the main selling point of their products. To gain an edge over the competition, makers are enhancing R&D work on models with unique-looking frames, including wraparound, oversized, translucent and patterned versions.