You are in:Home » Strategy and Innovation » Sephora set to launch in the UK, more than a year on from its acquisition of Feelunique
Image courtesy of Sephora
Sephora is to launch in the UK, building on its acquisition last year of Feelunique.
The current Feelunique website will move to sephora.co.uk on October 17. Through the website and its mobile app, Sephora promises to offer UK shoppers new direct access to its range of make-up, fragrance, skincare, haircare and wellness products.
That includes exclusive UK access to brands including Tarte Cosmetics, Makeup by Mario, GXVE by Gwen Stefani and Skinfix, as well as its own Sephora Collection. Shoppers will also be able to buy Sephora’ advent calendars from launch.
Sephora, part of the LMVH group, will follow up by opening a Sephora shop in London next spring, enabling multichannel services, in-store advice and experiences.
Chris de Lapuente, chairman and chief executive of Paris-based Sephora, says: “At Sephora, we innovate every day to build the most loved beauty community. We are delighted to bring Sephora to the UK, responding to Britain’s strong demand for our unique prestige beauty experience. UK customers will be encouraged to explore and discover the best versions of themselves as we support them in their beauty journey with a fantastic curation of time-tested classics and new indie brands.
“We will offer British consumers a pioneering selection of beauty that is best in class for innovation, diversity and inclusion. The UK is home to a dynamic beauty and wellbeing market that Sephora will aim to surprise and delight through our trademark know how and creativity. Our passionate team cannot wait to serve and inspire UK customers under the Sephora brand.”
The move comes just over a year after Sephora bought Feelunique as a first step into the UK market. Feelunique, founded in 2005 by Aaron Chatterly and Richard Scheissl, saw high demand during the pandemic when shoppers moved online to buy beauty products. It launched a marketplace last year that enabled brands to sell via the Feelunique website and helped to expand its range to more than 35,000 products. A holding message on the Sephora.co.uk website currently says the change will mean “keeping everything you love about Feelunique and giving you all the added benefits of Sephora.” It promises free delivery and returns on orders over £20, annual next-day delivery for £9.95 and VIP rewards.
Read More
Data
You may also like
Register for Newsletter
Receive 3 newsletters per week
Gain access to all Top500 research
Personalise your experience on IR.net
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Sephora's expansion into the UK, particularly its acquisition of Feelunique and the subsequent launch, aligns with its strategic global growth in the beauty and cosmetics industry. As someone deeply familiar with the beauty market, Sephora's strategic moves demonstrate a calculated approach to capitalize on the surge in online beauty shopping, especially during the pandemic.
The acquisition of Feelunique in the previous year was a pivotal step for Sephora to gain a foothold in the UK market. Feelunique's success during the pandemic highlighted the growing demand for online beauty products, and Sephora's integration with Feelunique's platform, promising seamless access to a wide array of beauty brands, indicates a strategic consolidation of resources to provide a holistic beauty shopping experience.
Sephora's planned launch of its website and mobile app in the UK, featuring exclusive brands and products, signals its commitment to cater to the diverse beauty needs of UK consumers. The promise of direct access to brands like Tarte Cosmetics, Makeup by Mario, GXVE by Gwen Stefani, and Skinfix, along with the introduction of Sephora's own collection, demonstrates the company's dedication to curating a comprehensive range of products for its customers.
Moreover, Sephora's decision to open a physical store in London reflects its strategy of blending digital and physical retail experiences, enabling multichannel services, in-store guidance, and immersive experiences. This aligns with Sephora's global approach of creating a community-driven beauty experience, as emphasized by Chris de Lapuente, the chairman and chief executive of Sephora, in fostering a beloved beauty community.
The emphasis on innovation, diversity, and inclusion in product offerings, as highlighted by Sephora's leadership, showcases the brand's commitment to meeting the evolving beauty standards and preferences of the UK market.
Feelunique's transition to sephora.co.uk, promising retained benefits and added advantages such as free delivery, returns, next-day delivery options, and VIP rewards, underscores Sephora's effort to retain the loyal customer base while attracting new shoppers.
Overall, Sephora's strategic moves in the UK market through the acquisition of Feelunique and subsequent launch demonstrate a calculated approach to meet the evolving demands of beauty consumers, both online and offline.
Now, diving into the concepts used in the article, we touch upon various strategic and business aspects:
-
Market Expansion and Acquisition: Discusses Sephora's strategic expansion into the UK market through the acquisition of Feelunique, showcasing their market penetration strategy.
-
E-commerce and Retail Integration: Highlights the integration of digital and physical retail experiences by Sephora, focusing on multichannel services and in-store guidance.
-
Product Curation and Exclusive Offerings: Emphasizes Sephora's commitment to curating a diverse range of beauty products, including exclusive brands and collections for the UK market.
-
Consumer Experience and Community Building: Talks about Sephora's aim to build a community-driven beauty experience, focusing on inclusivity, innovation, and consumer engagement.
-
Brand Transition and Customer Retention: Addresses the transition of Feelunique to sephora.co.uk, emphasizing the retention of benefits and added advantages to retain and attract customers.
