Sephora Sets Sights on UK Market with 20 New Stores by 2027
Beauty behemoth Sephora has unveiled ambitious plans to significantly bolster its UK presence. The company aims to launch at least 20 new stores across the nation within the forthcoming two to three years. This announcement was made by CEO Guillaume Motte in a recent interview with The Times, underlining the brand’s unwavering belief in the vitality of physical retail, despite the sector’s ongoing challenges.
Currently, the LVMH-owned cosmetics titan operates six stores in the UK, having re-entered the market in 2022 after an 18-year hiatus. High rents and intense competition from domestic rivals such as Boots led to Sephora’s exit from the UK market in 2005. However, the company’s triumphant return was paved by its £132 million acquisition of FeelUnique in 2021.
Sephora has already made its mark in London’s Westfield locations, Manchester, Newcastle, and Birmingham. The company has set its sights on Bluewater for a winter opening, followed by Liverpool ONE in early 2025. The Liverpool store, spanning 6,727 square feet, will feature popular brands such as Rare Beauty, Makeup by Mario, and Haus Labs by Lady Gaga.
Source: Retail Gazette