Sephora opens fifth London store this winter

Sephora will open its fifth London store this winter. The new location is in the Brent Cross shopping centre in North London and is planned to open in November, although an exact date has not yet been set. This marks the retailer's 15th store in the UK overall.

Sephora only re-launched its physical retail footprint in the UK in 2023, after establishing itself online the year before. On average since launching, it has opened 3.75 stores every year. This is the brand's second attempt to gain a foothold in the UK market, having previously operated stores from 2000 to 2005.

Store format experiments

The retailer is experimenting with different store formats. In July, Sephora UK opened its first boutique-format store on London's Carnaby Street. A second boutique store opened in Spitalfields market the same month.

The boutique concept was developed in response to customer feedback. Sarah Boyd, Managing Director at Sephora UK, commented that the community had continued to ask for more Sephora locations across central London. The smaller stores are intended to complement its existing larger-format locations while supporting its evolving UK retail strategy.

Broader consumer trends

Separate research from Boots indicates a 'September reset' is gaining momentum among UK consumers. According to that research, 44% of people say September feels like the right time to get back into healthy habits. For 40% of those surveyed, post-summer motivation is prompting healthier lifestyle changes. A further 32% say they want to prepare their wellbeing for the colder months ahead.

Brand anniversaries and events

In other news, Weleda Skin Food is preparing to celebrate its centenary in 2026. The brand has built a global reputation for its commitment to people, planet and high-quality, plant-based products since its founding in 1921.

Beyond traditional retail, Sephora is also looking to engage with customers by hosting its first UK edition of SEPHORiA. This is a festival dedicated to celebrating the creativity, innovation and discovery shaped by UK culture and the latest beauty trends.

Early advent calendar launches

Beauty advent calendars for 2026 are already being launched by brands and retailers. The category continues to raise the bar with higher-value assortments, an increasing number of full-size products and collectable packaging. This year's launches span expansive beauty edits, cult-favourite collections, and specialist fragrance and wellbeing calendars. Names highlighted include Liberty, Cult Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Lush, and John Lewis.