Puma, has signed a global eyewear license for 5 years with Charmant, a large Japanese producer whose brand portfolio includes Elle and Esprit. Luxottica is part of the deal as the exclusive retail and wholesale distributor of the Puma line in the North American market. As the parent company of numerous retail chains including Sunglass Hut International, which is going more into fashion, it will also sell the Puma collection through its vast retail network in the rest of the world, acting as an independent key account of Charmant.The first collection will be presented to the trade worldwide next July, but it will become available in the stores only from next January. Previously Puma had different licensees in different parts of the world including a small German company, Licefa, which was selling the collection in other countries as well. Alain Afflelou, the optical franchisor, has had an exclusive distribution agreement for the French market (more in EyeWear Intelligence)..