According to the latest rumours reported by the French media, Meta, the holding company that controls Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is preparing to take over a 4-5% share of the Italian-French giant Essilor Luxottica. The investment, estimated at around 5 billion euros, aims to strengthen the partnership between the two companies in the wearable technology sector and could lead to the presence of Meta in the governance of the group.
BFM Business, a French broadcaster that broke the news, said that the decision is currently under discussion to define governance aspects, such as the possible assignment of a seat on the board of directors of EssilorLuxottica to Meta. Although Meta can aspire to a seat on the board thanks to his 5% stake, the US company will not be part of it at least initiallyEssilorLuxottica's goal is maintain independence, while benefiting from the technological support of Meta, which has a market capitalization of approximately 1.450 billion dollars.
In the meantime, Meta has already obtained the green light from US antitrust authorities for the operation, considered strategic for Zuckerberg, who has invested large sums in the wearable technology market, such as virtual reality headsets.
EssilorLuxottica shares soar on the stock market
The markets' reaction was not long in coming: at the Paris Stock Exchange, EssilorLuxottica recorded a del% increase 4,23, reaching new highs and exceeding the threshold of 100 billion euros of capitalization. A result that brings the stock to an increase of 25% since the beginning of the year, in contrast to the overall trend of the fashion sector, which has been pressured by the uncertain macroeconomic context.
Meta-EssilorLuxottica: strategic alliance in wearables
Rumors of a collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica they had been circulating for some time, also fueled by the admiration expressed by Mark Zuckerberg for the Italian-French group: "EssilorLuxottica is not only a world leader in eyewear, but has the potential to become one of the leading technology companies globally." For the CEO of Meta, the group could transform itself into a technological engine for Europe, a bit like Samsung was for South Korea.
The collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica has already materialized in the launch of Ray-Ban smart glasses, a model that has achieved considerable commercial success. According to BFM Business, the second generation of Ray-Ban Stories has conquered the first places in sales in European stores, consolidating EssilorLuxottica's reputation as a pioneer in technological innovation of eyewear.
Francesco Milleri, CEO of EssilorLuxottica, recently confirmed the company's ambition to become a leader in "wearable computing". In an interview with Financial Times, explained how the goal of the partnership with Meta is to replace many of the traditional technological devices with smart glasses, thus integrating technology into everyday life.
For Mark Zuckerberg, wearables represent the future of social connectivity. The investment in EssilorLuxottica reflects its vision of a company that is not only a manufacturer of eyewear, but also an innovative technology platform. With the entry into the capital of EssilorLuxottica, Meta consolidates the idea that wearables will become central in the next years.
Shared Goals: Smart Glasses and New Technologies
Meta and EssilorLuxottica share the vision to develop new technologies that unite fashion and innovation. Zuckerberg emphasized how the two companies work together to build a shared culture, in which EssilorLuxottica's expertise in eyewear manufacturing is combined with Meta's expertise in consumer electronics, artificial intelligence and software.
The integration of optical and technological expertise is key to the collaboration. Meta benefits from EssilorLuxottica’s expertise in producing lightweight and fashionable lenses, while the Italian-French group leverages Meta’s technological know-how. “We are collaborating on all fronts and are committed to building a common culture,” said Zuckerberg, acknowledging the value of their respective expertise.
