Meta Plans to Expand Retail Locations Amid Intensifying Smart Glasses Competition

Oh boy, Meta’s dipping its toes deeper into retail. Not that it hasn’t been doing that dance for a while, but Business Insider (gotta thank them for spilling the beans) says they’re gearing up for more stores—actual ones, not just those flash-in-the-pan pop-ups. Like, seriously hitting the pavement with real stores.

So, apparently, they’re thinking Apple-style. Yeah, setting up some sleek spots where you can try all the gadgets. But it’s hush-hush, well kinda—just a few people in the know. Top secret stuff, but hey, that never lasts, does it?

Meta did this pop-up thing in LA last year—caught some eyes, too. They’ve been at this game since 2016, cozying up with Best Buy to show off their fancy XR headsets. But now, they have a legit spot in Burlingame, California. Right by their Reality Labs, because why not? You can mess around with Quest stuff and those Ray-Ban smart glasses there.

Speaking of Ray-Bans, they’re a big part of this retail rev-up. And man, did folks snap up a million pairs in 2024—Zuck was all jazzed about it. I can’t even imagine what a million glasses piled up looks like. Anyway, EssilorLuxottica (say that five times fast) is cranking up production to 10 million by 2026. Like, just what, three years from now?

Those glasses—they’ve got cameras, speakers, the whole kit (though no one’s using them for spy missions… I hope). Changes are afoot, and Bloomberg hinted at even sportier, cooler versions. I wonder if they’ll be as comfy as my old worn-in sneakers.

Oh, and don’t sleep on Google—they’re strutting into the smart glasses arena too. Partnering up with Warby Parker and others. Apple’s in the mix as well, cooking up their own magic spectacles. Apparently, they’re tinkering with some super-efficient chips, maybe borrowing from their Apple Watch smarts. Who knew glasses could get so techy?

Okay, enough of my rambling. The smart glasses race is on, and it’s gonna be quite the spectacle—pun totally intended. What’s next, smart hats? Wait, don’t steal that idea.