Page 18 - February 2022

Jeddah Park Mall,
Jeddah, KSA

Perfect for

Every Person

Handicraftsman of eyewear, NAU! was born from the ancient art of Italian
eyewear and has grown to be pioneers in the industry. In this interview,
RLI spends some time with Fabrizio Brogi, Chairman at NAU!, to better
understand the brand and to determine how they have grown as a business to
date and what they have their sights set on next.

Due to ever changing market conditions that have been seen throughout
this pandemic period, the company did have to postpone some store
openings abroad, however they have continued opening new stores, with
more than ten new units launched in both 2020 and 2021.
From the very onset of Covid-19, NAU! decided that protecting their
customers and staff by following the strictest possible rules was of
paramount importance. They then focused on delivering additional
services for their customers, such as improving the online booking
system for sight tests and shop visits, along with improving their
omni-channel activities.
When discussing their store portfolio, Brogi explains that recent openings
include a unit at a mall in Jeddah and a site on the high street in Florence that
was launched in collaboration with two partners. As for future growth, he
goes on to say that they are forecasting 20 new stores in Italy and a further
ack in 2005, having grown frustrated of the tired and old- ten stores abroad in the next two years. Of the ten international stores, a
fashioned ‘traditional’ optical experience, Fabrizio Brogi refuted focus for the brand would be sites in East Europe and they are currently
Bthe idea that glasses should continue to be viewed as a medical in discussion with some potential partners for these sites.
necessity or some sort of ailment that people should continue to bear. So how does the company develop new products and initiatives to
Instead, he wanted glasses to stand for something different and to maintain its position in the market?
amplify the positive message of joy and colour they can bring to people’s “Our recipe has some key ingredients such as inspiration, uniqueness,
everyday life. colour and joy, Italian style and our artisan passion. We launch new
“When we set up NAU!, we didn’t want to just guarantee premium collections every 15 days which are designed with fashion trends in mind.
products and services to select customers, we wanted to deliver quality Uniqueness is a distinctive element that we offer with our Limited Editions
glasses at an affordable price to everyone. Our goal as a company is to Collections where a clean Italian style is combined with ergonomics and
change the rules and deliver a fluid omni-channel experience,” explains comfort above expectations.”
Fabrizio Brogi, Chairman at NAU!. A sustainable and socially responsible company from inception, NAU! is
Over the last 17 years, the business has built up a store portfolio of 180 growing in the social media sector and the business has been built in a way
stores of which 160 are in Italy and the other 20 are abroad in various that makes it a stable oasis in the market that grows with regularity, well-
locations that include Mexico City and Dubai. In addition, they have 80 being and pride. They do not operate the company to achieve maximum
franchised stores and of these, 60 are located in Italy and the other 20 are immediate profit; they instead look at the long-term sustainability of the
outside of the country through a master franchisor agreement. operation, through economic, social and environmental factors.
18 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2022