Facebook is planning to open physical shops for the first time to help it sell virtual reality.
The social media company, which is changing its name to Meta, is in discussions to open a series of stores around the world.
The shops will be showcases for devices made by Facebook’s Reality Labs division, which specialises in virtual reality headsets and is working on augmented reality glasses.
Internal Facebook documents state that the aim of the shops is to make the world “more open and connected”. They are also designed to spark emotions such as “curiosity, closeness” as well as a sense of feeling “welcomed”, and experimenting with headsets will be a “judgment-free journey” for customers.
Designs for the stores show a “flat, minimalist aesthetic”. The plans have reportedly been in the works for over a year.
