International beauty brand Sephora is set to open four new UK stores this summer, marking a significant expansion that includes its first foray into Scotland. The French-founded retailer, which already operates 16 stores across the UK, will launch two locations in Scotland and two boutique-style shops in London by August.
Scottish Debut
Edinburgh will welcome Sephora on July 9 at The St James Quarter, followed by Glasgow Silverburn on August 13. Both stores span approximately 5,000 square feet and will feature Sephora UK exclusives and selective brands such as rhode, Haus Labs, Makeup by Mario, Merit Beauty, INNBeauty Project, Tower 28, and Half Magic, available for the first time in Scotland.
London Boutiques
In London, a boutique will open on Carnaby Street on July 23, and another at Old Spitalfields Market on July 30. These smaller-format stores, described as 'pop-in' experiences, aim to reflect the UK's high-street culture and offer a curated product selection.
Sephora UK Managing Director Sarah Boyd said: "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. At the same time, we're proud to be introducing our new boutique format in London, a concept shaped directly by customer feedback and designed to complement the way people shop today."
Sephora plans to have 20 UK stores by the end of 2026, focusing on large-format stores in key regional cities and small-format boutiques in the capital. The brand operates over 1,700 stores in the US, 800 across Europe, and a strong presence in the Middle East and Asia.
Anne Ledgerwood, estate director at Edinburgh's St James Quarter, called the first Scottish Sephora a "landmark moment," adding: "Securing such an iconic global beauty brand for its Scottish debut reflects its position as the country's leading retail destination." Diarmuid Donohoe, centre manager at Glasgow's Silverburn, described it as a "really exciting moment for beauty lovers in Glasgow and the west of Scotland."
