Sephora has confirmed plans to open its second store in the United Kingdom. The new store will be located at Westfield Stratford City in London and is expected to open its doors in November 2023. This announcement follows the successful launch of Sephora's first UK store at Westfield White City, London, which opened on March 8, 2023.
The LVMH-owned beauty giant made a triumphant return to the UK market in October 2022 with the launch of its e-commerce site, sephora.co.uk, following the acquisition of online retailer Feelunique. The digital-first approach was met with unprecedented demand, marking a successful re-entry into the UK after an 18-year hiatus.
The first physical store in Westfield White City, spanning 6,000 square feet, has been a hit among consumers, with queues still forming outside four months after its opening. The store features over 135 brands, some of which are physically retailing in the UK for the first time, including Tarte Cosmetics, Glow Recipe, Supergoop!, Danessa Myricks, and Kosas.
The upcoming Westfield Stratford City store is expected to offer similar features, providing a "next-generation retail design" aimed at enhancing the retail experience for UK consumers. While full details of the new store have yet to be revealed, it is anticipated to house exclusive beauty brands, including Makeup by Mario, Gxve by Gwen Stefani, One/Size by Patrick Starrr, Vegamour, Skinfix, Commodity, and its own Sephora Collection.
Sephora's expansion in the UK comes amidst a major shake-up in the world of beauty retail. The company's focus on exclusive brand partnerships and unique services has set it apart from other beauty retailers. For instance, AFTERBeauty, often referred to as the UK's answer to Sephora, has also been making waves in the industry with its lineup of both niche and established beauty brands.
Despite the competition, Sephora's success in the UK is undeniable. On its opening day, the Westfield White City store achieved the second-highest sales globally for Sephora, only behind the Dubai Mall store. Since then, it has consistently ranked among the top four worldwide.
As the beauty retail landscape continues to evolve, Sephora's expansion in the UK signifies its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of British consumers. With more stores planned nationwide, the beauty giant is poised to further solidify its presence in the UK market.
