Speculation of Sephora's UK return gather pace

Speculation that LVMH-owned beauty retailer Sephora is planning return to the UK retail market are gathering pace.

Sources have suggested to TheIndustry.beauty that the prestige beauty retailer is looking to take a unit on the western end of London's Oxford Street, close to Bond Street, that was previously occupied by high street fashion chain Next.

Meanwhile WWD has reported that both Westfield White City and the new retail offer at Battersea Power Station could also be sites under consideration, with Q1 2023 cited as a potential opening time.

Sephora previously 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 with reports suggesting a combination of high rents and tough competition from home-grown retailers such as Boots contributing to the decision.

It would not be the first time rumours have abounded about Sephora's return with speculation mounting in 2016 that it could decide to return. However the latest speculation is given more weight due to the recent acquisition by Sephora of UK prestige beauty etailer Feelunique. 

Sephora paid £132m for Feelunique last September and some sources have suggested that the etailer could be rebranded as Sephora. Feelunique was founded in 2005 and since 2012 had been backed by Palamon Capital Partners. At the time of its sale it was understood to turn over around £30 million.

Sephora is one of the world's best know beauty retailers. It was founded in 1969 and entered the LVMH fold in 1997. Today has more than 2,600 stores globally and employs around 40,000 staff.