On Thursday, 16th May, Trafford Centre unveiled its new Sephora store, marking the first Sephora location in the North and the third in the UK. The grand opening drew over 3,000 enthusiastic visitors, some of whom queued overnight to be among the first to enter.
The opening day celebrations included live entertainment from DJ Mix Stress and Sweet Female Attitude, along with free coffees, juices, breakfast treats, and branded merchandise. Sephora cast members, along with VIPs, gathered at 9:45 am to cut the ribbon and welcome the first customers. The new Trafford Centre store ranked third globally for Sephora’s opening day sales.
The opening of Sephora led to a significant increase in footfall at Trafford Centre, with a 26.7% rise compared to the same day last year and a 25.7% increase compared to the same week in 2023. Additionally, Trafford Centre’s membership and loyalty scheme, Pulse, saw an 85% increase in sign-ups compared to the previous day and a 109% increase compared to the same day last year.
The new store features 500 square meters of sales floor space, offering an immersive shopping experience for beauty enthusiasts. The Trafford Centre store showcases an extensive collection of sought-after brands and a diverse product range, catering to makeup and skincare aficionados. Exclusive to Sephora UK, the store presents a curated selection of brands such as Glossier, Makeup by Mario, GXVE by Gwen Stefani, and Haus Labs by Lady Gaga. Customers can also explore the innovative Sephora Collection, which includes products across makeup, skin, body, and hair care categories.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Sephora UK, expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled that our grand opening at Trafford Centre has already proven to be such a success. The opening represents Sephora’s commitment to bringing the best in beauty to diverse communities across the country, recognising the pivotal role that major regional cities like Manchester play in shaping and influencing the beauty industry landscape. The Trafford Centre, known for its iconic atmosphere and diverse retail offering, is the perfect location for our flagship Northern store.”
Russell Loveland, Managing Director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, added: “We are very proud Sephora chose the Trafford Centre for its next location, which is its first store in the North of England. Already, the results from the first week of trading indicate how the Manchester community has welcomed the arrival of the store. We look forward to seeing its continued success.”
