Meta’s latest retail venture, Meta Lab, introduces a reimagined shopping experience with Ray-Ban Meta glasses at its core. First revealed at the Connect 2024 conference in Menlo Park through a pop-up installation, the Meta Lab concept aims to make shopping for tech products more interactive and memorable. On November 8, Meta will launch a temporary flagship store in Los Angeles, designed to engage consumers with a unique, culturally immersive experience centered around their innovative Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

The core of Meta Lab is experiential retail, where customers interact deeply with the product and technology before making a purchase decision. Creative Director Matt Jacobson highlights this as a fresh take on the retail experience, saying, “When you let somebody try out a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, you become the best salesperson ever.” This hands-on approach allows customers to test the glasses and explore Meta AI features, making the product more tangible and engaging. Meta’s flagship store in LA makes an impression even at the entrance, featuring a massive pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses with their signature LED light, reflecting a modern design.

Since its inception in early 2024, the Meta Lab project has been planned in three phases: the Connect pop-up, the temporary LA flagship, and an upcoming shop-in-shop concept launching in Phoenix by the end of January 2025. The overarching goal is to learn which retail approaches resonate most with consumers and to refine this model for broader adoption. Backed by over 50 team members, Meta Lab brings together insights and efforts across departments in a collaborative approach that aims to inform future retail strategies for both Meta and its partners, including EssilorLuxottica.

The LA Meta Lab store goes beyond conventional shopping by incorporating local culture. The initial phase is centered around Southern California's lowrider culture, brought to life by contributions from renowned local artists and designers like Estevan Oriol and Armando Flores. Flores, known for his intricate miniature lowrider car models, is a focal point of the exhibit, aligning with Meta’s vision of honoring culture while showcasing cutting-edge products. The next phase in December will spotlight the DIY style of Los Angeles, tapping into the city's vibrant upcycling and vintage trends with artists such as Tierra Whack.

Customization is also key to Meta Lab’s approach, where visitors can personalize their Ray-Ban Meta glasses cases to reflect their individual style, regardless of purchase. This detail nods to lowrider culture, which often celebrates personal expression. Meta believes this customization will resonate with modern consumers, who increasingly seek ways to make products their own.

One of the standout features of Meta Lab is the AI wall, where users interact with Meta’s smart assistant, integrating cutting-edge technology into the shopping journey. This AI component has quickly become a favorite among visitors and provides a seamless, replicable element that Meta can potentially scale. Visitors can also enjoy immersive recreations, including a 17-foot fiberglass beach setup inspired by Malibu, where they can capture memories with friends.

As Meta explores the potential of first-party retail, Meta Lab stands as both an experimental playground and a bridge to community connection. Beyond selling Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the space hosts regular events such as comedy nights, live podcasts, and creative workshops, creating a community-centric environment. Jacobson envisions that Meta Lab will serve as a model for similar installations nationwide, blending aspirational design with a tangible community experience.