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RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Global announced a new strategic partnership with Kering Eyewear, the company said, adding that "This will expand choice and offer exclusive benefits to practices participating in the VSP Global Premier Program. A leader in luxury, Kering Eyewear designs, develops and distributes a portfolio of 15 brands including: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Montblanc, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Alaïa, Courrèges, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, McQ and Puma. “Through this partnership, private practices participating in the Premier Program have access to more choice and opportunities to differentiate, compete, and grow,” said Michael Guyette, president and CEO of VSP Global.

“As we continue to expand Premier Program offerings, Kering Eyewear brings unique, sought-after collections that appeal to the diverse interests of VSP network doctors and their patients,” he said.

Eligible practices participating in the Premier Program can take advantage of exclusive savings through rebates and additional frame payments based on the number of Kering Eyewear frames purchased by patients using their VSP benefits. This unique offer is incremental to any other commercial terms Premier Program practices currently receive from Kering Eyewear, the companies said.

“We are proud to partner with VSP as the luxury eyewear partner within the Premier Program,” said Glenn Rusk, head of North America for Kering Eyewear. “This represents another step forward in our journey to provide doctors and patients with luxury eyewear, unparalleled quality, and an ensemble of powerful brands. Our partnership with VSP Global will create additional value for our mutual customers, further enhancing the ability of doctors to grow their business and offer valued choices to their patients.”

Designed to provide VSP network doctors with greater opportunity for more patient flow and increased revenue, the Premier Program also offers VSP members unique value and ways to make the most out of their benefits, VSP stated. "During the past five years, more than 32 million patients chose a Premier participating practice for their eyecare and eyewear needs," VSP Global said, adding "The Premier Program has delivered nearly $12 billion in revenue to participating practices in the last five years."

A VSP spokesperson clarified to VMAIL that Kering Eyewear is a strategic partner to Premier, as is Maui Jim, as VMAIL reported in March 2019. In order to access the Kering Eyewear Premier Program offer, a practice needs to achieve the Premier Platinum or Gold requirements, the spokesperson told VMAIL.

There are additional Premier Partner companies in the program, including frame companies, contact lens firms and others. The spokesperson noted, "We value all our partners, and our strategic partners share strong, aligned support of independent doctors and the Premier Program, and offer unique and complementary brands, innovative technology and market-leading expertise. They also work across multiple VSP lines of business and have future business development potential."

Details on the Premier Program are in the Premier Provider Hub here. Additional questions can be answered from sales.us@kering.com or after logging in at the VSP Provider Hub.