Blab Tech
Meta Expands Meta Lab Experience to 50 Best Buy Stores in Summer
On Monday, June 8, Meta Platforms announced a summer partnership with Best Buy that will bring its immersive “Meta Lab” concept to 50 of the retailer’s U.S. locations. The rollout will add 900‑square‑foot experiential spaces where shoppers can try on Meta’s virtual‑reality (VR) headsets and artificial‑intelligence (AI) smart glasses.
Christa Wittenberg, vice president of global retail sales at Meta, explained that the new spaces are designed to let customers see the technology “in person” and to “experience firsthand just how stylish, fun, and personal AI glasses and VR really are.” She added that Meta’s goal is for shoppers to leave the lab “genuinely excited about what’s possible.”
Best Buy’s chief merchandising officer, Patrick McGinnis, said the partnership responds to a clear customer demand. “More than 50 % of Best Buy customers have said they want to see Meta’s AI glasses in person before making a purchase,” McGinnis said. “Meta Lab @ Best Buy is an experience customers can’t find at any other retailer and sets a new standard for how our customers will explore, play with and discover the latest cutting‑edge tech.”
The first five stores to host the Meta Lab spaces are in San Carlos, California; Roseville, Minnesota; Woodland Park, New Jersey; Greenville, South Carolina; and Columbus, Ohio. The program will expand to 45 additional Best Buy locations over the next few months.
Meta already operates five standalone Meta Lab stores in major cities, where consumers can test the company’s Ray‑Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses and its Quest 3 VR headset. A Retail TouchPoints report notes that Meta plans to use insights from the Best Buy labs to refine product design and store layout. “We can see what’s drawing people in, and if the layout is confusing, we’ll fix it,” said Nicola Mendelsohn, head of Meta’s global business group.
The partnership is part of Meta’s broader strategy to bring its hardware products—smart glasses, VR headsets, and other wearable devices—to a wider audience. Earlier this year, Meta announced that its AI glasses would include in‑lens displays, open‑ear audio, and a camera for everyday use. The company also highlighted that large‑language models can turn AR glasses into “intelligent companions,” offering real‑time assistance such as conversation summaries, language translation, and contextual prompts.
While the technology promises new ways to interact with information, experts caution that a clear use case remains essential. A PYMNTS report noted that AI enhances interactions but does not define them, and that users still need a compelling reason to wear AR glasses for extended periods.
Best Buy’s involvement is expected to give Meta a broader customer base for testing. The retailer’s Geek Squad technicians will be on hand to help shoppers set up and troubleshoot the devices. The partnership also positions Best Buy as a destination for consumers who want to experience the latest in immersive technology before buying.
Meta’s spokesperson said the company will share lessons learned from the Best Buy labs with other retailers of its AI and VR wearables. The goal is to create a consistent, user‑friendly experience across different retail environments.
The expansion comes as Meta continues to invest heavily in research and development. In 2022, the company spent $35.3 billion on R&D, making it the third‑largest spender in the sector. The Meta Lab initiative is one of several ways the company seeks to accelerate adoption of its hardware products.
In summary, Meta’s partnership with Best Buy will bring immersive VR and AI glasses to 50 U.S. stores over the summer, allowing customers to try the devices in person and provide feedback that Meta will use to refine product design and retail experience. The rollout will begin this month, with additional locations opening in the following weeks. Meta and Best Buy have not yet announced any pricing or availability details for the devices that will be showcased in the labs.
Christa Wittenberg, vice president of global retail sales at Meta, explained that the new spaces are designed to let customers see the technology “in person” and to “experience firsthand just how stylish, fun, and personal AI glasses and VR really are.” She added that Meta’s goal is for shoppers to leave the lab “genuinely excited about what’s possible.”
Best Buy’s chief merchandising officer, Patrick McGinnis, said the partnership responds to a clear customer demand. “More than 50 % of Best Buy customers have said they want to see Meta’s AI glasses in person before making a purchase,” McGinnis said. “Meta Lab @ Best Buy is an experience customers can’t find at any other retailer and sets a new standard for how our customers will explore, play with and discover the latest cutting‑edge tech.”
The first five stores to host the Meta Lab spaces are in San Carlos, California; Roseville, Minnesota; Woodland Park, New Jersey; Greenville, South Carolina; and Columbus, Ohio. The program will expand to 45 additional Best Buy locations over the next few months.
Meta already operates five standalone Meta Lab stores in major cities, where consumers can test the company’s Ray‑Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses and its Quest 3 VR headset. A Retail TouchPoints report notes that Meta plans to use insights from the Best Buy labs to refine product design and store layout. “We can see what’s drawing people in, and if the layout is confusing, we’ll fix it,” said Nicola Mendelsohn, head of Meta’s global business group.
The partnership is part of Meta’s broader strategy to bring its hardware products—smart glasses, VR headsets, and other wearable devices—to a wider audience. Earlier this year, Meta announced that its AI glasses would include in‑lens displays, open‑ear audio, and a camera for everyday use. The company also highlighted that large‑language models can turn AR glasses into “intelligent companions,” offering real‑time assistance such as conversation summaries, language translation, and contextual prompts.
While the technology promises new ways to interact with information, experts caution that a clear use case remains essential. A PYMNTS report noted that AI enhances interactions but does not define them, and that users still need a compelling reason to wear AR glasses for extended periods.
Best Buy’s involvement is expected to give Meta a broader customer base for testing. The retailer’s Geek Squad technicians will be on hand to help shoppers set up and troubleshoot the devices. The partnership also positions Best Buy as a destination for consumers who want to experience the latest in immersive technology before buying.
Meta’s spokesperson said the company will share lessons learned from the Best Buy labs with other retailers of its AI and VR wearables. The goal is to create a consistent, user‑friendly experience across different retail environments.
The expansion comes as Meta continues to invest heavily in research and development. In 2022, the company spent $35.3 billion on R&D, making it the third‑largest spender in the sector. The Meta Lab initiative is one of several ways the company seeks to accelerate adoption of its hardware products.
In summary, Meta’s partnership with Best Buy will bring immersive VR and AI glasses to 50 U.S. stores over the summer, allowing customers to try the devices in person and provide feedback that Meta will use to refine product design and retail experience. The rollout will begin this month, with additional locations opening in the following weeks. Meta and Best Buy have not yet announced any pricing or availability details for the devices that will be showcased in the labs.
