Global beauty retailer Sephora has announced the opening dates for its first two stores in Scotland, marking a significant expansion into the country. The Edinburgh store, located in the St James Quarter, will open on Thursday, July 9, followed by the Glasgow store at Silverburn Shopping Centre on Thursday, August 13. Sephora promises a "true Sephora summer" for Scottish shoppers, with unique in-store experiences including entertainment, queue activities, and food offerings.
First Scottish Stores After London Launch
This expansion comes three years after Sephora opened its first UK outlet in London. The brand describes its store openings as "iconic, community-driven moments," and the Scottish locations will be no exception. Sarah Boyd, managing director of Sephora UK, stated: "This summer marks a major milestone in Sephora UK's journey as we continue to bring our unique beauty experience to more communities across the country. We're incredibly excited to be opening our first stores in Scotland, giving beauty lovers access to some of the world's most sought-after brands and exclusive products for the very first time."
Exclusive Brands and Technology
Sephora confirmed that the Scottish stores will stock brands such as rhode, Haus Labs, and Makeup by Mario, along with Sephora UK exclusives, offering products that were previously unavailable in Scotland. Additionally, these outlets will be among the first to introduce Sephora's beauty scan technology, which allows staff to provide personalized product recommendations based on customers' skin and preferences.
Founded in Limoges, France, in 1969, Sephora has grown into a global network of over 3,200 physical stores, complemented by e-commerce and digital platforms. The Edinburgh and Glasgow stores will open alongside new small-format "boutique" stores debuting in London in July.
Local Reactions
Anne Ledgerwood, estate director of St James Quarter, called the opening a "landmark moment" for Edinburgh. "Securing such an iconic global beauty brand for its Scottish debut reflects its position as the country's leading retail destination and builds on the strength of our already diverse beauty offer. Excitement is already building ahead of opening, and we're proud to be introducing Sephora to Scotland for the very first time," she said.
Diarmuid Donohoe, centre manager at Silverburn, expressed enthusiasm for the Glasgow store: "Sephora opening at Silverburn this August is a really exciting moment for beauty lovers in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. Bringing the very best global brands to our community is what drives us, and each new arrival reinforces Silverburn's position as the go-to destination for beauty, lifestyle, and fashion in the city. We know this is one our guests have been waiting for, and we can't wait to welcome them to the new Sephora store this summer."
