There is no metaverse today. Nor will its emergence take us by surprise. Digital experiences will evolve gradually over time as technology creates new possibilities. And just because the technology is available, that doesn’t mean consumers will adopt, use, or even feel comfortable with metaverse or metaverse precursor experiences. In this report, Forrester lays out how the consumer experience will likely evolve, along with the factors that put the commercial success of the metaverse at risk. In addition, we show how the consumer experience will evolve within a shopping context. The scope is limited to Europe and North America.