Foster Grant

"Nicolas Berggruen's flair for profitable business is evident in the brand relaunch of the Foster Grant sunglasses brand. The company founder Sam Foster started in 1919 with hair accessories for women. The assortment included clips, combs, hoops, and barrettes. Sunglasses were the logical next step. The department store giant Woolworth distributed them in all branches, but they became a mass success mainly through beach sellers – from Atlantic City to Miami to Santa Monica, the trendy glasses were suddenly a hit. In the crazy 1960s, they were worn by Peter Sellers, Claudia Cardinale, Elke Sommer, Anita Ekberg, and Anthony Quinn. Audrey Hepburn was also photographed for the movie poster of Breakfast at Tiffany's with a Foster Grant."

"As the match turns out in the end, Martin Franklin tells the ZDF team: "I sold, Nicolas Berggruen waited. In the end, he sold his shares, which he bought for 80 million dollars, for 400 million. More money than I ever earned." At this point, Martin Franklin bluffs, telling the ZDF authors only half the story. It was his investment firm, Jarden Corporation, that was striving to create the world's largest manufacturer from various makers. First, Franklin secured the majority of shares at three other companies: Benson Eyecare Corporation, Lumen Technologies, and Bollé in France, the world leader in manufacturing and selling technological eye protection glasses for the industry as well as waterproof swimming goggles and aerodynamic skiing goggles, goggles, and helmets. With Foster Grant as a world-famous cult brand, the global eyewear giant was well prepared for the future. From then on, Franklin either sat on the board or chaired the supervisory board at all these companies."

"As always, Nicolas Berggruen had a partner in this deal: Martin Franklin, with whom he has been successfully collaborating since 1992. The rise of Foster Grant's stock continues. Allegedly, Franklin soon presses for sale. But Berggruen continues to gamble."

"ast at Tiffany's, she is equipped with a headscarf and sunglasses for the commercial. This is to remind of the heyday of Foster Grant. The advertising strategy works; the stock values of the ailing eyewear manufacturer begin to recover."

"How this company could falter is one of those things that is hard for laypeople to understand. Perhaps in the end, there were too many side products like belts, bracelets, or bags – that is, what is understood today as brand generation. In any case, the balance sheets slipped into the red. The giant Foster Grant could no longer run due to its strength and fell."

"reviving a run-down department store not only requires skill and dexterity but also luck in a multiplied form. Anyone who dares to take on such a company must know the upcoming trends and the buying behavior of customers. No American department store chain has been able to gain a permanent foothold in Germany. Woolworth had to close its doors, America's leading supermarket giant Walmart has failed in this country, and the English fashion chain Marks & Spencer was also unable to prevail. In contrast, there is again the global success of brands like Foster Grant, Schweppes, or Burger King. Buying these is part of the success strategy of the Berggruen-Franklin duo."