Meta Eyes Expansion of Retail Stores to Showcase VR and AR Tech
Meta is reportedly planning to expand its retail footprint, according to a recent report by Business Insider. This move signals Meta’s continued investment in wearables and aims to boost sales of hardware such as the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Meta Quest VR headsets. The company believes that a physical retail presence will allow customers to experience these products firsthand, potentially increasing sales.
The ability for customers to try out products like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Meta Quest VR headsets before purchasing is seen as a key advantage. These stores would provide a space for hands-on demonstrations and personalized assistance, which could be more effective than online marketing alone.
Meta’s retail expansion also positions it to compete with Apple’s ventures in the AR and VR space. While Apple’s Vision Pro headset is currently priced beyond the reach of most consumers, Meta’s expanded retail presence could provide a more accessible entry point into the world of augmented and virtual reality.
Meta already operates a brick-and-mortar retail store in California. The expansion plans suggest a broader strategy to integrate physical retail with its digital product offerings.
Bloomberg reported in February that Meta hired the former CEO of The RealReal as its retail VP, indicating a serious commitment to developing its retail strategy.
