Sephora is set to expand its presence in the UK with the opening of its seventh store at Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre this winter. This move is part of the brand’s ambitious growth strategy following its re-entry into the UK market in 2022.
Since relaunching, Sephora has made significant strides in re-establishing its physical retail presence across the country. After the successful opening of its first store outside London in Manchester’s Trafford Centre in May, the beauty giant is now preparing to launch additional stores in key locations. These include Newcastle’s Metrocentre and Eldon Square, as well as Birmingham’s Bullring, further solidifying its footprint in the North East and Midlands regions.
Sephora initially exited the UK market in 2005 after a five-year stint during which it opened six stores. However, the brand’s return has been met with enthusiasm, particularly with the opening of its flagship store in Westfield Stratford in 2023, marking a significant comeback to the world of physical retail.
Sarah Boyd, Sephora UK’s Managing Director, expressed her excitement about the upcoming Bluewater opening, stating, “We are thrilled to continue this momentum of our rapid growth by opening Sephora stores in key shopping destinations such as the iconic Bluewater shopping centre. We have loved seeing the enthusiasm and appetite from our customers around the UK of where they would like us to show up, inspiring us to roll out more of our ‘beauty playgrounds’ and unparalleled shopping experiences to some of the nation’s most beloved retail destinations such as Bluewater.”
The new Bluewater store is anticipated to be a major attraction, offering customers a wide range of popular and viral beauty brands that have made Sephora a household name globally. James Waugh, Bluewater’s Director, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of Sephora’s arrival in Kent: “Sephora is one of the most regularly requested brands by our guests, so we’re really excited to be welcoming it to our retail line-up later this year. The brand’s only Kent-based store will be worth the wait for our guests, as it will bring multiple of the world’s most viral beauty brands to Bluewater that our customers wouldn’t have been able to shop for before Sephora’s arrival.”
With the opening of the Bluewater store, Sephora continues to demonstrate its commitment to expanding its UK presence, offering customers across the country access to its renowned ‘beauty playgrounds’ and a diverse range of high-quality products. The store is expected to become a go-to destination for beauty enthusiasts in the region, further enhancing Bluewater’s reputation as one of the UK’s premier shopping destinations.