Global beauty giant Sephora is set to open its first stores in Scotland this summer, marking a significant step in its UK expansion.
The retailer will launch new outlets at St James Quarter in Edinburgh and Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow, around three years after opening its first UK store in London.
The Edinburgh store will span 4,961 sq ft, while the Glasgow site, which will become Sephora’s largest store in Scotland, will cover 5,048 sq ft.
Hoardings are expected to appear at both locations imminently, featuring the brand’s signature black-and-white stripes alongside the slogan “Twice the stripes, twice as bonnie!”
The stores will give Scottish shoppers access to several brands that have not previously been available in the region, including rhode, Haus Labs and Makeup by Mario, alongside Sephora UK exclusives such as Merit Beauty, INNBeauty Project, Tower 28 and Half Magic.
Sephora UK managing director Sarah Boyd said the openings marked an important milestone for the business.
“The Sephora UK team and I are thrilled to finally reveal that we’re bringing our ‘temples of beauty’ to not one, but two incredible Scottish cities this summer – with fans crying out for a Scottish beauty playground,” she said.
“It has been three years since we opened our first UK store; from the very beginning we’ve been searching for the perfect locations for us to open in the region and we are so happy to have found them in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter and Silverburn Glasgow.
“Opening in both Edinburgh and Glasgow this summer is about bringing double the energy, double the access and double the magic to a country that has long been calling for it.”
The new Scottish locations form part of Sephora’s broader UK expansion strategy. The retailer also recently confirmed plans to launch smaller-format “boutique” stores in London later this summer.
St James Quarter estate director Anne Ledgerwood said Sephora’s arrival represented a major moment for Edinburgh’s retail scene.
“As one of the most influential names in global beauty, its arrival brings a new retail experience to the city and an exciting addition to St James Quarter’s growing beauty line-up,” she said.
Meanwhile, David Pierotti, general manager of Silverburn, said the Glasgow opening would be a significant addition to the destination.
“Sephora coming to Glasgow marks such a big moment for the city and the west of Scotland and we are so pleased to be home to its largest store in the country,” he said.
Founded in Limoges in 1969, Sephora has grown into a global beauty powerhouse operating more than 3,200 stores worldwide alongside its ecommerce and digital platforms.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
