Happyview

About Happyview

Happyview, operating under the legal entity Luxview, was established in the French optical market in 2009. The company was co-founded by Marc Adamowicz and Fabien Monsallier. Adamowicz, with a background that includes 15 years at the optical chain Krys and experience in marketing and organizational consulting, identified an opportunity to disrupt the traditional eyewear market. Monsallier's career includes roles at La Poste and La Banque Postale, focusing on strategy and innovation. They launched Happyview.fr as the first online optician in France to be approved by the French Social Security system, a significant milestone that legitimized online eyewear sales in the country.

The business operated a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model, offering prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses at prices claimed to be significantly lower than traditional brick-and-mortar opticians. This pricing strategy was central to their goal of making eyewear more accessible, particularly for individuals with limited or no health insurance coverage. The company's revenue was generated through the online sale of these optical products. A key service feature was the at-home trial, where customers could order up to five frames to try for a week for a small fee. In 2012, Happyview expanded its portfolio by acquiring Malentille.com, a dedicated online retailer for contact lenses founded in 2006.

The company's growth trajectory attracted significant corporate interest. In 2013, the parent company Luxview, along with its Happyview and Malentille brands, was acquired by Home Shopping Service, a subsidiary of the M6 Group. This acquisition aimed to leverage M6's marketing power to accelerate growth. Following this, in 2016, the M6 Group sold the online optical businesses to the Alain Afflelou group, a major player in the European optical sector. Ultimately, the Happyview.fr website ceased operations on March 15, 2019.