Sephora confirms UK store to open in 2023

Sephora is re-entering the UK market, with the opening of a new store in London in Spring 2023 and the launch of its new UK website this month.

Whilst exact details of the location have not yet been announced, sources suggested to TheIndustry.beauty in August that the retailer was looking to take a unit at Westfield White City.

On 17 October 2022, the Feelunique website, which was acquired by Sephora in September 2021, will become Sephora.co.uk.

The website, combined with the Sephora App, will offer UK consumers the opportunity to discover its  selection of prestige beauty products across makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance and wellness.

The store will also offer a variety of brands exclusive to Sephora UK, including Tarte Cosmetics, ILIA, Makeup by Mario, ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr, GXVE by Gwen Stefani, Skinfix, Vegamour and Sephora’s own Sephora Collection.

To celebrate its arrival in the UK, Sephora will be opening a pop-up at One Marylebone on 20 October 2022. The immersive live event will allow UK visitors to have a sneak preview of the Sephora universe.

Chris de Lapuente, Chairman and CEO at Sephora, said: “We are delighted to bring Sephora to the UK, responding to Britain’s strong demand for our unique prestige beauty experience. UK customers will be encouraged to explore and discover the best versions of themselves as we support them in their beauty journey with a fantastic curation of time-tested classics and new indie brands.

“We will offer British consumers a pioneering selection of beauty that is best in class for innovation, diversity and inclusion. The UK is home to a dynamic beauty and wellbeing market that Sephora will aim to surprise and delight through our trademark know how and creativity. Our passionate team cannot wait to serve and inspire UK customers under the Sephora brand."

Sephora originally entered the UK market in 2000 with its first store located in Bluewater in Kent. It went on to open nine further stores in the UK but exited in 2005. Reports at the time suggested a combination of high rents and tough competition from home-grown retailers such as Boots contributed to the decision.