META'S 3% STAKE IN ESSILORLUXOTTICA BOLSTERS AI SMART GLASSES AMBITION

Meta Platforms has acquired a nearly 3% stake in EssilorLuxottica, the world's largest eyewear manufacturer and parent company of RayBan and Oakley, in a €3 billion ($3.52 billion) deal that deepens its push into Al-powered wearable technology.

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The investment, reported on July 8, 2025, underscores Meta's strategic focus on smart glasses as a cornerstone of its augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. With plans to potentially increase its stake to 5%, Meta aims to strengthen its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, leveraging the eyewear giant's manufacturing prowess to compete in the fast-growing smart glasses market.

A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN WEARABLE TECH

Meta's stake in EssilorLuxottica, valued at approximately €117.3 billion, builds on a partnership that began in 2019 with the launch of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. These glasses, which integrate cameras, open-ear speakers, and Meta's AI assistant, have sold over 2 million units since 2023, far exceeding expectations. The recent release of the Oakley Meta HSTN, featuring a hands-free highresolution camera, water resistance, and AI capabilities, further expands the collaboration.

EssilorLuxottica's CEO Francesco Milleri has outlined plans to scale annual production to 10 million units by 2026, with ambitions to extend the partnership to brands like Prada.