HTC Corp plans to set up more than 10,000 "experience sites" on the mainland by the end of the year, as the Taiwan-based technology company steps up efforts to promote its HTC Vive virtual reality helmet.

The ambitious plan will be realized in part through a partnership with Suning Commerce Group and Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd, two of the biggest electronic offline retailers in China, said Alvin Graylin, head of HTC's VR business in the mainland, on Thursday.

"HTC VR demo stores will pop out in almost every public place over the next couple of months, in shopping malls, internet bars and in karaoke bars," Graylin said, adding the company has more than 1,000 such experience centers now.