Space NK begins major K-beauty roll out with Soko Glam shop-in-shop
Space NK continues its mission to reshape what premium beauty retail looks like, teaming up with US-based e-tailer Soko Glam to bring a Korean beauty shop-in-shop to 30 of its 83 UK and Ireland stores.
Launching today, the 'Soko Glam Best of K-beauty Edit' will feature nine brands new to Space NK - including Some By Mi, Skin 1004, Neogen, Lagom and Chasin’ Rabbits - with the assortment also available online. The initiative debuts in the retailer’s brand new 4,600 sq ft Oxford Circus flagship, which showcases a curated selection of new brands, exclusive product launches and beloved favourites - offering customers the opportunity to "discover the very best of beauty". Soko's edit will later roll out across selected regional locations.
Founded in New York in 2012 by Charlotte and David Cho, Soko Glam built its reputation as a pioneer in K-beauty retail, introducing US consumers to now-mainstream names like Laneige and Innisfree. Charlotte Cho is also the founder of premium skincare brand Then I Met You, which launched into Space NK in July 2024 - further cementing her long-standing ties with the retailer.
Charlotte Cho told TheIndustry.beauty: "The UK has always been one of the most engaged and educated beauty markets in the world, and we’ve seen firsthand the growing appetite for Korean beauty here after we launched Then I Met You. Space NK is the perfect partner to expand Korean beauty.
"Their commitment to education, their highly curated approach, and the trust they’ve built with their community mirrors exactly what Soko Glam has stood for over the past 13 years. This partnership is just the beginning of a much bigger vision: to bring the very best of K-beauty, paired with the right storytelling and localised strategy, to more markets around the globe."
Cho highlighted that while skincare remains the backbone of K-beauty, the fastest-growing segment is now colour cosmetics, citing brands such as Daisique and Rom&nd. These brands stand out for their unique packaging, innovative formulas and willingness to invest in shade ranges that cater to deeper skin tones, which is not typical of traditional Korean Beauty brands that cater to fairer skin tones.
Sophie Wayman, Category Director, Skincare at Space NK, said: "This partnership marks a significant evolution in our skincare offering. Soko Glam is the leading online destination for Korean beauty in the US, and we’re thrilled to become its bricks-and-mortar home in the UK.
"[Charlotte and Soko Glam are] not just distributors - they're skincare experts who rigorously test every product they carry, and they actively educate their community. It’s exactly the kind of expertise we want to share with our customers.
"We’ve taken our time with this move, not because we weren’t excited - but because we wanted to do it right."
The collaboration also lands at a time when global trade tensions are creating challenges for Korean beauty brands, with US tariffs on South Korean imports currently at 15%. Despite this, Cho said the US-based retailer has so far avoided price increases, adding: "Producing in Korea is still more affordable than in the US… if the Trump administration’s point was to bring more manufacturing to the US - these tariffs are not going to move the needle for Korean beauty, at least."
This follows Manzanita Capital's sale of Space NK to Ulta Beauty last month. The exact amount Ulta paid remains unclear, though one source indicated the deal was likely to exceed £300 million. It continues to operate under CEO Andy Lightfoot, who steered the business to a turnover of £196.5 million in 2024.
With a pipeline of new store openings, enhanced flagships, and exclusive brand partnerships, Space NK is actively strengthening its retail presence to cement its position as a go-to beauty destination across the UK and Ireland. The retailer isn’t just attempting to redefine the in-store experience - it’s looking to reshape what premium beauty retail looks like for a new generation of customers.
