Meta launches Metaverse digital clothing store

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that it was launching a designer digital clothing store called ‘Meta Avatars Store’ where users can purchase designer wearables for their avatars in its Metaverse. 

The new virtual store will be launched on all Meta’s apps, including Facebook and Instagram this week in the U.S., Canada, Thailand and Mexico. The first set of designers to be featured include Prada, Balenciaga, and Thom Browne. For now, the costume collection has three options; a motocross outfit, a logo hoodie, and suits. More brands and collections will be added to the store.

A Meta spokesperson said that the digital goods would be priced between $2.99 and $8.99, significantly less than the real outfits by the designers. Zuckerberg aims to develop the store as an open marketplace where developers can create and sell a wide assortment of digital clothes.

Commenting on the new venture, Zuckerberg said that digital wearables will become ‘an important way to express yourself in the metaverse and a big driver of the creative economy.’ for Metaverse users.

‘We’re launching our Avatars Store on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger so you can buy digital clothes to style your avatar,’ Zuckerberg said in a statement. ‘Digital goods will be an important way to express yourself in the metaverse and a big driver of the creative economy. I’m excited to add more brands and bring this to VR soon too.’ he further stated.

Speaking of VR, Zuckerberg refers to its flagship Metaverse application, Meta Horizon Home, to access Meta Quest, which is currently enjoyed by owners of VR headsets. In Meta Quest, users can play video games, join exercise classes and conference calls as avatars. 

The announcement follows Meta’s 3D avatars redesign to make them more expressive and 3D, then rolled out on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger in January this year. Followed by its pilot test on tools to showcase and sell NFTs on Instagram. 

Zuckerberg also recognizes the challenges the company will face in preparing for its entry into the Metaverse. The CEO had announced that the transition will cause the company to lose a ‘significant amount of money’ in the next three to five years. 

Photo: Meta