Meta (Facebook) plans to open retail stores to showcase its hardware, similar to Apple, after success in VR and AI, revealed via internal communication.
Meta Platforms, previously known as Facebook, is making waves with a surprising move: expanding into physical retail. This follows the company's focus shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) after dominating social media.
Internal communications reveal Meta's plans to open retail stores, a strategy designed to showcase its hardware products and offer consumers a hands-on experience. This approach echoes the successful model of Apple Stores.
Meta already operates a retail store at its campus in Burlingame, California. The company also experimented with a pop-up shop in Los Angeles last year, featuring its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth consider this retail expansion, particularly focusing on AI-powered wearables, as crucial for 2025. The move follows strong Q1 earnings and substantial investments in AI, suggesting a multifaceted approach to growth.