Drugstore.com Inc. (DSCM) said that it has formed a strategic, multi-year ecommerce alliance with Luxottica Group S.p.A. (LUX) to expand online access to contact lenses in the North American market.
Under the exclusive agreement, Vision Direct Inc., an online contact lens retailer and a unit of drugstore.com, will collaborate with Luxottica to develop branded, contact lens ecommerce sites for the company's North American business, and provide customer care and fulfillment services.
The alliance will enable Luxottica, starting with its retail brands, to offer a comprehensive solution for consumers to conveniently purchase contact lenses in-person, by telephone or online.
In addition, the two companies will pursue synergies such as purchasing contact lenses on behalf of the alliance and plan to cooperate in a number of other related areas, including Luxottica's North America-based wholesale business.
drugstore.com noted that it will incur a one-time advisory fee in connection with entering into this alliance, which will be reflected in its fourth quarter earnings.
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