Retail Stores in the Metaverse

In Chapter 7 of The Metaverse Handbook, I talk in great detail about the role of unique, ownable assets in the metaverse and preview what metaverse retail will look like. Since I wrote the book, many large retailers have begun testing the waters of opening up stores or experiences in the metaverse.

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the impressive and noteworthy retailers who are investing in metaverse assets and spaces.

Notable Retailers in the Metaverse

Puma launched Black Station which includes a metaverse lobby with three portals. Two of the lobbies unveil their NFT sneakers and one goes to their NYFW metaverse fashion show.

Vans built a metaverse skate park in Roblox called Vans World which also gives players the ability to design custom Vans gear for their characters.

Walmart launched Walmart Land in Roblox to put their products front and center.

GAP built a virtual, purchase-free metaverse store to promote teen inclusion, as well as an NFT wearable collaboration with Dapper Dan.

Complex created ComplexLand 3.0, a virtual shopping platform that gave space for brands including Pizza Hut, Lexus, Atmos, Market, Billionaire Boys Club, Pacsun, Pleasures, and Round Two to advertise their NFTs and metaverse wearables.

Timberland unveiled four Metaboots that Fortnite players can equip.

Gucci opened Gucci Town in Roblox. It includes mini-games, an art studio, education about the brand, and a store.

Nike built Nikeland in Roblox, which has a Dunk Contest and head-to-head games, as well as metaverse gear. They also purchased RTFKT, one of the leading metaverse wearable companies.

Samsung created a quest in Decentraland with wearable prizes to promote its sustainability focus.

Metaverse Fashion Week in Decentraland garnered participation from brands including General Motors, Dolce & Gabbana, Guo Pei, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Estée Lauder, Karl Lagerfeld, and Alexander McQueen.

Coca-Cola sold an NFT loot box that unlocked 1-of-1 Coke-branded metaverse wearables.

Louis Vuitton created Louis The Game, a metaverse hunt with NFT wearables as the prize.

Adidas partnered with Bored Ape Yacht Club on a wearable NFT line. They also collaborated with Ready Player Me on an AI-generated avatar platform.

Prada, Balenciaga, and DRESSX all released digital fashion on the Meta Avatar Store.

Ferrari let people test drive the Ferrari 296 GTB in Fortnite.

Atari runs a casino in Decentraland, along with owning large plots of land in The Sandbox.

Metaverse Honorable Mentions

• Wendy’s hopped on a Fortnite trend
• Hyundai created the Hyundai Mobility Adventure in Roblox
• The Walking Dead made a game in The Sandbox
• Lowe’s created a metaverse building platform to visualize spaces
• American Eagle has a Roblox wearable collection
• Dick’s Sporting Goods created a virtual high school experience on Roblox
• Bloomingdale’s debuted a virtual store during NYFW
• Alo Yoga created an NFT which unlocks a digital wellness club
• Burberry released characters in Blacnkos Block Party game
• Forever 21 offers a build-your-own-store in Roblox
• Forever 21 and Barbie launched a collection on RobloxZara designed a Metacollection