1-800 Contacts Acquires Ditto to Expand B2B Vision Tech and Virtual Try-On Capabilities

ThisThe transaction will expand1-800 Contactscontinuously increasinglongB2Bproducts, and bring new innovations to the company's global eyewear recommendation and virtual try-on business. 

DRAPER, Utah, Oct. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer in DTC Vision Care1-800 Contacts, Inc. today announced the acquisition of the global leader in virtual eyewear try-on technology.DittoTechnologies, Inc. This Oakland, California-based company collaborates with partners in the vision care industry to streamline the shopping experience for consumers worldwide through innovative technology products.

Over 60 million people annually benefit from Ditto's state-of-the-art technology, which enables shoppers to virtually try on eyewear and receive highly insightful frame recommendations for both in-person and online try-on experiences. Since its founding in 2011, leading e-commerce brands, frame manufacturers, retailers, and other eye care professionals have integrated Ditto's innovative technology to deliver a personalized and streamlined frame discovery experience.

Over the past few years, Premium Vision, a subsidiary of 1-800 Contacts, has collaborated with corporate clients to provide procurement, sales, e-commerce, and telemedicine services. In 2019, 1-800 Contacts acquired6over6Vision, Ltd. is a revolutionary technology company that provides accurate and reliable optical examinations using only a computer or smartphone. Ditto will partner with Premium Vision and 6over6 to create turnkey B2B products for other companies in the vision care industry.

“For years, our customers have been asking us to provide more technology solutions. By combining Premium Vision, 6over6, and Ditto, we can deliver integrated technology and services,” said Kate Doerksen, Co-founder of Ditto. “This acquisition will help us achieve our vision of ‘making buying glasses simpler and more convenient at scale.’”

Kellen Fowler, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at 1-800 Contacts, said: “Ditto’s goal is to make it easier for consumers to discover and purchase great eyewear, which closely aligns with our mission to ‘make vision care simpler.’ We are excited to partner with Kate and her talented team at Ditto to seek better vision care solutions.”

AboutDitto
Ditto is a leading eyewear recommendation and virtual try-on technology platform dedicated to serving forward-thinking retailers, brands, and eye care professionals worldwide. Headquartered in Oakland, California, Ditto brings advanced technologies such as AI-driven personalization and AR visualization to the eyewear industry. Acquired by 1-800 Contacts in August 2021, the company will collaborate with Premium Vision and 6over6 to create turnkey technology and service solutions for customers. For more information, please visit:www.ditto.com

About1-800 Contacts
1-800 Contacts is the original disruptor in the vision care industry, dedicated over the past 26 years to pioneering better vision care solutions and customer experiences. The company has tirelessly championed consumer rights, successfully advocating for federal legislation that guarantees customers the right to use their prescriptions to purchase lenses, while paving the way for the next generation of startups. As the largest retailer of contact lenses, 1-800 Contacts delivers seamless service to millions of loyal customers each month, who reward our brand with a Net Promoter Score (NPS) exceeding 80.

1-800 Contacts employs 1,000 people across its industrial parks in Utah, North Carolina, and Texas, and is a member of the Internet Retailer 500.