According to the New York Times, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is discussing opening its first retail stores as it pushes into the metaverse. The stores, which have no set opening date, will allow the company to showcase devices like virtual reality headsets and teleconferencing gadgets that allow people to video chat through Facebook. This news comes just a week after Facebook announced its name change to Meta. It’s shifting focus to building a virtual world, or metaverse, where users can socialize, work and play. The retail plans indicate Meta is in need of a real-world presence to showcase what it can do in the virtual world. The company sells several products customers could try in person. The Oculus Quest virtual reality headsets, which will be rebranded Meta Quest, can give people a chance to see its vision for a metaverse before they decide to buy. Meta also sells Facebook Portal video chat devices, which are being rebranded to Meta Portal. Both have already been sold in some retail locations like Best Buy. Meta’s flagship store is reportedly planned for Burlingame, California, where it has an office for Reality Labs.
