After School Special
From recess and softball practice to skateboarding and biking, new kids' eyewear accessories keep pace with their extracurricular activities
By Erinn Morgan

Cases from California Optical even include a compass

Kids are an active bunch and their eyewear has to keep up with them. Running, playing, rolling, getting dirty--they put their sunglasses and prescription eyewear to the true test. A crop of active sports accessories for kids helps keep up with the demands of this tough customer.

In addition, there are more sports eyewear options on the market today and, accordingly, more sports accessories. Smaller retainers help glasses stay put. Larger cases fit glasses plus cleaning cloth and spray. Inventive products help kids keep track of their eyewear and shade their eyes from the sun.

There are options out there and some dispensers are making the most of the sports accessory category for kids. Proper assortment, good merchandising, and a fun attitude help eyewear retailers appeal to kids and their parents.

ON THE CASE

One of the most important accessories for kids is a hard case to protect glasses that may get knocked around in backpacks and book bags. While it protects, the hard-working case also has to look cool. On this front, sport themes are very popular with kids.

	Bright colors enliven Croakies eyewear retainers
	New on the market, Proshades can serve as eyewear case, visor, or eyewear retainer

"We have a lot of cases that have a sport motif like baseball or tennis," says Paul Glaser, owner of Captree Opticians in Babylon, N.Y. "There is also a company that has a new outdoor case with a compass on it."

"We have a couple of the gel flip-top cases that have holographic sports print," adds Christie Andersen, optician with Heffner Point Youth Optical in Oklahoma City.

While they are typically complimentary with an eyewear purchase, kids also usually like the drawstring case their eyewear comes in. Andersen calls it "The Sock." "It fits in their bags and they can use them to clean their glasses after their games," she notes.

KEEP IT ON

Another popular item with these small customers is the eyewear retainer. Available in all shapes and sizes to ensure a perfect fit, this accessory helps keep glasses in place during rigorous activity. "They hold on just fine with the eyewear retainers," says Glaser.

Andersen also promotes the retainers. "We like the little sports straps, especially in bright colors. Because they are smaller, they work better than the ones you can get in the drug store," she says. "Kids like the bright colors, too, and they coordinate them with their team uniforms." She also notes that it is mostly the younger kids, not teens or tweens, who are getting the retainers.

Unique options in this accessory category include retainers that will help glasses stay afloat if submerged in water. Others, like the SportLoop, act more as a place to hang glasses and keep track of them. This accessory, made of durable stretch cord (in bright colors), has a patented hinged plastic loop to hook glasses on. The SportLoop simply hangs around the neck and glasses stay in place.

Astucci's sport cases come in materials ranging from hard plastic to durable fabric
Sport goggles such as Rec Specs from Liberty Optical are accessories that protect

KEEP IT CLEAN

Another important charge with kids' eyewear is to keep glasses clean. The rigors of outdoor activities make this a major challenge. The good news is that, according to Glaser, "Kids like cleaning kits. They are really good for active kids. Many times we give them free with their glasses, but they can also range up to $10 or $15, depending on the kit."

More good news says Mary Jane Deffner, owner of Kinderspecs in Encinitas, Calif., is that kids like the big eyeglass cases. "We have them keep a cloth and mini spray in their case--this fits in the larger ones," she says. "The spray is $2 (33ml) and we give a complimentary cleaning cloth to everyone."

RX GOGGLES

One area that seems to be doing very well for dispensers of kids' eyewear is swimming goggles. The focus is on prescription versions for active kids. "Most of the goggles we sell are with a prescription," says Glaser. "They can get non-Rx at any pool place. And I cannot compete with their $5 price tag." With a prescription, swim goggles are in the $195 range at Captree Opticians.

Andersen says Heffner Point Youth Optical also does a good business in Rx swim goggles. "On sports and swim goggles, we offer them at a reduced rate because we really want the kids to have them," she says. "We charge $145 for a polycarbonate lens--and they come with a warranty."

In addition, these dispensers say their sales of prescription sports goggles for things like basketball or baseball are equally as strong. Products like "the Rec Specs sports goggles are doing great," says Deffner. "The Junior Rec Specs is my favorite--it has more cushion on the side if they get hit on the head with the ball. You can also mold it inside their helmet for a better fit, and it grows with them."

Rxable swim goggles from Speedo are colorful and safety oriented	Leashes from EK Ekcessories come in a wide variety of styles and colors

On Display

Kids' cleaning sets encourage good habits. Shown, the Kleen Kids package from Hilco Many ECPs merchandise accessories all together in one area, including adults' and kids' versions. Some separate out into a kids' section or a sports-specific area. Others will place them strategically throughout the store as a constant reminder of what is available. "Ours are merchandised all over, even in the window," says Paul Glaser, owner of Captree Opticians in Babylon, N.Y. "We dress up our windows with accessories. But we also have them incorporated within the front retail area. Sports accessories and things like goggles are in with the other sports items--and that includes a binocular section." At Kinderspecs, accessories are placed strategically in the kids' sports eyewear area. "We keep the accessories near the sports display in our sports section," says owner Mary Jane Deffner.