Big sunglasses are popular with young people, according to retailers.

SALES of sunglasses have been increasing as the weather heats up and water festival draws nearer, according to shopkeepers in Yangon’s downtown area last week, but are down on the same time last year.

“Sunglasses sales have increased – as they always do – when the hotter weather arrives. But when you compare with last year, sales now are down about 30 percent,” said U Harlit, a shopkeeper at Maha Bandoola Garden Street in Kyauktada township.

Chinese-made sunglasses are the most popular because they are cheap and come in a wide variety of designs and styles, he said.

“Sunglasses priced at between K2000 and K2500 are selling faster. Among teenagers, the large-style sunglasses are the most popular,” he said.

One customer said cheaper sunglasses were a wise option for Thingyan, given the high probability they will get lost or broken in the festivities.

“I chose to buy a cheaper pair of sunglasses because I don’t want to spend much money on a pair just for the Thingyan water festival, which lasts only five days,” said U Ye Min, a customer who purchased a pair of Chinese-made glasses.

Daw Khine Khine Thein, general manager of American Vision on Shwebontha Street in Yangon, said middle-aged men and women usually opted for more expensive, elegant designs, beginning at K60,000 and sometimes more than K100,000.

“Many middle-aged men and women choose frames based on their quality,” Daw Khin Khin Thein said. “But there are also some who just want the latest designs.”

U Nay Linn, a sales executive at Kyaw Optical Center, also noted that glasses with large frames – made popular by celebrities like Victoria Beckham – were the highest selling in the lead up to Thingyan.