Meta AI glasses to debut in Korean department stores this month

(Meta)

Meta’s artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses will make their South Korean retail debut later this month through the country’s three major department store chains, as retailers race to secure an early foothold in what they see as the next major consumer device after smartphones.

According to industry sources on Sunday, Meta AI Glasses will begin sales at major branches of Shinsegae Department Store, Hyundai Department Store and Lotte Department Store by the end of May.

Shinsegae will start sales on May 25 at Ray-Ban stores across nearly all of its department store locations, excluding its Masan branch. Hyundai and Lotte are also preparing launches at key stores later this month.

Lotte plans to open a dedicated Meta AI Glasses pop-up store at its Jamsil branch in early June.

Meta developed the smart glasses in collaboration with global eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica under the Ray-Ban brand. The devices are expected to sell in South Korea for between 600,000 won ($400) and 900,000 won.

The glasses combine cameras, speakers, microphones and an AI voice assistant in a conventional eyewear design. Users can take photos and videos, listen to music, make phone calls and search for information in real time using voice commands.

The devices also support AI-based live translation and object-recognition functions that provide information about surrounding environments.

Industry sources said Meta has also secured additional retail channels including duty-free stores, optical shops and fashion platforms as it seeks to rapidly expand its presence in the South Korean market, where interest in AI-powered wearable devices is growing among younger consumers.

Department store operators increasingly view wearable devices as high-potential experiential products that appeal to trend-sensitive millennials and Gen Z shoppers.

Last year, Hyundai Department Store’s Mokdong branch became the first South Korean retailer to permanently introduce a store for wearable robotics company WIRobotics, while Shinsegae recently hosted an AI robotics pop-up store at its Gangnam branch.