Getting a new pair of glasses can be expensive. This is especially true if you tend to order designer frames. Because of this, many people turn to discounted optical providers such as Costco. But do they offer the variety many people want? Does Costco sell Gucci glasses?

While Costco does carry a number of designer glasses brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, at this time, they do not carry Gucci glasses. Gucci glasses are available at other online retailers, however, and in Gucci stores around the United States.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for Gucci glasses for the best price, online or in person.

Does Costco Sell Gucci Glasses?

Though not one of the better-known glasses providers, Costco isn’t new to the optical services industry. They’ve been providing glasses since early on in their more than 60-year-long company lifetime. Costco Optical, like many of the company’s offerings, is a service available inside their retail locations, as well as online, that offers benefits to their members.

Their glasses styles range from affordable options to, yes, many designer brands, but being a big-box store optical department has its limits. Gucci is particularly exclusive about their branding partners, even aiming to stop using wholesale distribution completely, so hasn’t reached an agreement with Costco.

This means that, while Costco does offer a variety of frames, Gucci frames are not available through them. It’s not likely that they will ever get them in, either, as the company goes more and more exclusive. Many more big box retailers will be losing access to the frames and sunglasses, so don’t expect them to be available anywhere but on Gucci’s own site in the near future.

What Glasses Brands Does Costco Sell?

Still, you don’t have to have specifically Gucci glasses if you’re shopping designer. As mentioned, Costco does offer a variety of designer frames for glasses through their optical center. They’re a reasonable competitor to many more popular optical centers, especially because of their member program.

They carry hundreds of brands, with some of the best known being

  • Kate Spade
  • Vera Wang
  • Ray-Bans
  • Oakley
  • Serengeti
  • Bausch and Lomb

They also have Kirkland Signature glasses, which are Costco’s own name brand. All of these frames are available for regular retail pricing, with special discounts offered to their members.

Alternative Retailers for Gucci Glasses

Many online retailers sell Gucci frames, including popular sites like Lens Crafters and Frames Direct. Even larger box retailers such as Walmart will carry a selection of the frames in their online store, though they don’t tend to carry them in physical locations and, as mentioned, they’re becoming less and less frequent.

Of course, you could always purchase the glasses directly from Gucci via their online store or in person at one of their retail locations. This usually means paying a premium price for them, however, which is what most shoppers aim to avoid.

Alternatives to Gucci Glasses

If you’re still considering Costco as your optical provider, then you might turn to alternatives to Gucci glasses. There are some brands that provide relatively well-matched dupes that would offer you a similar look at a fraction of the cost. Many of these alternative frames can be found both in optical centers like Costco and online through retailers like Amazon and Etsy.

These “dupes” range from relatively cheap glasses with a similar look but cheaper construction, to other designer brands that you might find more appealing. Remember, though, that although they may look the same, you’re not going to get any of the Gucci branding in a dupe pair of glasses. If that’s what’s important to you, consider sticking to the original brand.

Conclusion

Costco might be a great place to go for your glasses if you’re looking for the most affordable experience you can get without sacrificing quality, but it’s not going to offer the same luxury that specialized retailers are.

If you’re looking specifically for Gucci glasses, whether as your daily frames or sunglasses, you’re better off going directly through the brand. Given their dedication to becoming more exclusive over time, you may find that this is the only way to get them in the near future.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that you are the only person that needs to love and approve of your glasses. If designer frames make you feel confident, then they’re worth the extra time and effort to find alternatives to inaccessible retailers.