Meta opens its first physical retail store

Since Mark Zuckeberg changed the name of Facebook to Meta and introduced the virtual world of the metaverse to the public, most people have been wondering what it is all about, and what all the possibilities the metaverse offers. While it may sound quite “abstract” to spend time in a virtual 3D world where can we work, educate, shop and play, experts predict that by 2026, 25 percent of people will spend at least one hour per day in metaverse. Metaverse is currently most often compared to video games, but the future of this platform should bring many other options that will allow people to replicate activities they usually perform in their physical world.

Demystifying the metaverse

In order to bring closer the world of metaverse to a wider audience, Meta today opened the first physical store where users will be able to try and buy products or “gadgets” that helps to access virtual reality. Quest VR goggles, Portal smart screen and glasses created in collaboration with Ray Ban will be available in the store. The first store was opened in the California town of Burlingame, located near their headquarters, which will greatly facilitate the examination of reactions, needs and ways of interacting customers with products. Opening this type of store is an important step towards Zuckenberg’s goal of making metaverses a part of our everyday life, a new generation of the Internet as we know it today. In order to attract even more users to this virtual universe, in addition to being fun and visually attractive, it is necessary to achieve that metaverse becomes a generator of money, both for Meta and its users, or content creators such as Instagram influencers, Youtubers and TikTokers.

Brand interest is growing

In the virtual world, you can be anything you want through avatars that will represent your physical appearance while you are active in the metaverse, so it is possible that your avatar wears virtual designer clothes or owns a piece of furniture from a famous brand. Many brands, including adidas, Burberry, Dolce & Gabana, Hermes and IKEA, have already begun the initial phase of entering the world of metaverses. Renowned cosmetics brand L’Oréal has embarked on the development of a line of virtual cosmetics, while Gucci has launched its first Gucci Virtual 25 virtual sneakers, which are priced at $ 12.99 per pair. Also, the assumption is that in these virtual worlds will be possible to buy digital land, houses, furniture, jewelry and many other virtual goods that will potentially be more expensive than those in real life.

Just as the internet was intangible in the 90s and not everyone was aware that it would become an important part of our daily lives, metaverse is a new area for brands so far in which they are not yet sure if they want to invest. Although the list of brands that start selling their products and services in metaverse is growing, with the development of technology it is expected that the experience of users in metaverse will be more attractive and “immersive” than in the physical world, which will encourage brands in the future to invest in their metaverse stores, since the number of users who will spend money there will also grow over time.