wane, though newer brand Easy Spirit proved popular. In 1995, Luxottica launched a hostile takeover attempt of U.S. Shoe, with the goal of acquiring LensCrafters. In March 1995, U.S. Shoe agreed to sell its shoe division to the Nine West Group. In April 1995, Luxottica announced it had reached an agreement to purchase U.S. Shoe for $1.4 billion. In October 1995, Luxottica spun off U.S. Shoe's apparel division, which by this time was known as the Women's Specialty Retailing Group and included Casual Corner, to a company operated by Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio and his family. References Defunct retail companies of the United States American companies established in 1879 Retail companies established in 1879 Shoe companies of the United States Companies based in Cincinnati