Beauty giant Sephora opens new North East stores including one in the Metrocentre

-Credit: (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
-Credit: (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)


Beauty enthusiasts in the North East have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sephora, and now two stores are set to open simultaneously, marking a significant impact on the retail landscape.

The beauty giant, renowned for its extensive range of makeup and skincare products, is gearing up for a dual launch this Friday at Eldon Square in Newcastle and Metrocentre in Gateshead. A sneak preview of the aesthetically pleasing new stores gives a glimpse into what early customers can anticipate.

Sephora has been tantalising passers-by with its concealed windows showcasing its signature black and white colours - a nod to Newcastle United's love for stripes - and advertisements featuring local landmarks. The new Eldon Square store on St Andrew's Way gave Chroniclelive an exclusive first look, revealing a stylish interior and its Sephora Collection products alongside a selection of the most buzzed-about global brands.

Additionally, there are stations providing bookable services ranging from quick treatments to a full Glam Look experience. Its team of beauty advisors will undoubtedly soon be busy offering customers services such as a brow 'MOT', blow dry or Elemis facial.

Queue barriers were already set up in the shopping centre, anticipating the crowds expected on Friday morning. The Metrocentre branch on The Parade did the same, ahead of its 9.13am opening time.

This was chosen to coincide with its Friday 13th launch date, which aims to flip superstition by promoting it as 'the North East's lucky day', according to a spokesperson.

Indeed, it will be fortunate for those in line who are set to receive complimentary sweet and savoury treats from Greggs. The first 500 customers at each store will also receive a gift bag of goodies.

This gesture will be repeated for the first 100 customers arriving on both Saturday and Sunday. Sephora, whose product range includes fragrance, haircare, bodycare, wellness and travel items, offers exclusive and global brands.

These include industry names such as Makeup by Mario; GXVE by Gwen Stefani and Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, as well as TikTok trends like the new Topicals.

Customers in the North East will also find brands including Glossier; Rare Beauty; Kayali and Glow Recipe. Its own brand, Sephora Collection, features products ranging from bright-coloured face masks to a best-selling Size Up mascara.

The French retailer's UK expansion in the north follows the news of a Sephora store opening in Manchester earlier this year.

Sephora, part of the LVMH conglomerate formed from Louis Vuitton and Moet Hennessy, is set to make waves in the UK's beauty sector with 'key retail destinations' earmarked as 'beauty playgrounds'. Managing Director of Sephora UK, Sarah Boyd, announced the exciting venture.

"Opening not one but two amazing beauty playgrounds at the same time is a bold step and one we have great confidence in," she commented on the ambitious move, responding to a clear consumer desire for the brand's presence.

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