Family-owned eyewear group Luxottica and French rival Essilor have agreed to a €46 billion ($49 billion) merger that will create a leader in the eyewear industry with revenues of more than €15 billion.
The merger, one of the largest tie ups in European history, combines Luxottica, known for brands such as Ray Ban and Persol, and Essilor, a French company leading the charge in ophthalmic lenses.