French retail brand Sephora is set to increase its physical presence in the UK with plans to open 20 new stores up to 2027. 

The expansion follows Sephora's re-entry into the UK market in 2022 after a 17-year absence, having initially exited in 2005 following a five-year stint. 

Sephora CEO Guillaume Motte stated: “We’re probably looking in the next two to three years to have at least 20 stores in the UK.”  

Sephora currently operates six stores in the country, with a new 6,727ft² store in the Liverpool ONE shopping centre in the northwest of England scheduled to open in spring 2025. 

The Liverpool store will feature Sephora's own-brand products along with brands such as Rare Beauty, Makeup by Mario, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga and GXVE by Gwen Stefani.  

Sephora seeks to cater to a wider audience and adapt to changing consumer preferences by enhancing both its physical and online presence. 

In August 2024, it appointed DHL Supply Chain as its lead logistics provider for the next five years.  

DHL will oversee warehousing, e-commerce fulfilment and the management of Sephora’s UK transport network, all in support of the company’s retail growth strategy. 

In June 2024, the Trafford Centre in Manchester unveiled its new Sephora store, the brand's first in the north of England and third in the UK. 

The Trafford Centre store attracted more than 3,000 visitors on its opening day, ranking third globally for Sephora's opening sales.  

The opening also resulted in a 25.7% increase in footfall at the Trafford Centre compared to the same week in 2023.