Worldwide sunglass gross sales increased 1.3 percent in the second quarter to $111.6 million from $110.2 million in last year's second quarter. Sunglass unit shipments decreased 0.5 percent worldwide, reflecting sales declines in older sunglass styles nearly offset by strong sales of new sunglass styles and increased sales to the U.S. military. The average sunglass selling price increased 1.8 percent compared with last year's second quarter.
Combined second quarter gross sales of the company's newer categories, consisting of apparel and accessories, prescription eyewear, electronics, footwear and watches, grew 24.7 percent to $50.0 million.
These sales accounted for 26.9 percent of total second quarter gross sales and were driven by strong increases in the company's spring apparel and accessories lines and prescription eyewear, together with the benefit of OAKLEY THUMP, the world's first fully integrated, digital audio eyewear.
The company's second quarter gross margin increased to 59.5 percent compared to 57.6 percent in last year's comparable period due to improved gross margins from each of the company's newer categories, including a positive mix benefit from the addition of the company's new electronics products; higher gross margins on new 2005 sunglass introductions relative to 2004 sunglass introductions; positive manufacturing variances and efficiencies, including lower eyewear raw materials costs; the positive effect of a weaker U.S. dollar on the company's international operations; and the U.S. sunglass price increase which took effect January 1, 2005.
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