Sephora UK has confirmed plans to open a second Manchester store at Manchester Arndale in summer 2025. This follows the success of the brand’s Northern debut at the Trafford Centre in 2024, where over 2,000 beauty enthusiasts queued on opening day. The new location will further strengthen Sephora’s physical presence in the UK and allow it to connect with even more shoppers in the heart of the city.
Manchester Arndale will be the retailer’s tenth store in the UK, part of a wider expansion that includes upcoming openings at Liverpool ONE and Meadowhall Sheffield. With a 4,618 sq ft space, the Arndale store will offer customers an immersive shopping experience within Manchester’s largest inner-city retail destination.
Sephora UK’s Managing Director, Sarah Boyd, highlighted the impact of the brand’s growing presence in Manchester, following the warm reception at the Trafford Centre:
“Manchester showed us phenomenal support when we opened our first store in the region, which blew away all our expectations. We are thrilled to be bringing a second beauty playground to our customers in this vibrant and culturally rich city, allowing us to reach even more shoppers with a city centre location at Arndale. We already know there is strong appetite from beauty enthusiasts in Manchester as we saw over 2,000 eager customers queue on our opening day last year, and we look forward to recreating the same energy at Arndale and to continue providing an unparalleled beauty experience like no other.”
The addition of Sephora to Manchester Arndale reflects the centre’s continued appeal to major international retailers. Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, which jointly manages the shopping destination with M&G Real Estate, commented on the significance of the announcement:
“Sephora is an excellent addition to the Manchester Arndale line-up as it cements our position as the go-to destination for beauty and fashion brands. The arrival of Sephora continues the strong momentum of international brands selecting Manchester Arndale as they expand their UK retail footprint. This highlights the confidence these retailers have in Manchester Arndale’s continued strong performance and how we continue to attract shoppers from across the North West and beyond.”
Sephora UK’s store expansion has been met with strong consumer enthusiasm, with previous openings drawing large crowds of beauty fans eager to experience the retailer’s curated selection of brands and exclusive in-store services. The Manchester Arndale store is set to offer an interactive retail environment, reinforcing Sephora’s reputation for providing more than just a traditional shopping experience.
The brand’s wider UK expansion is also progressing, with the Liverpool ONE store due to open in spring 2025, marking the first of the year’s launches. Manchester Arndale and Meadowhall Sheffield will follow, adding to Sephora’s growing national footprint. This momentum highlights the increasing demand for beauty-focused retail destinations outside of London, as the brand continues to engage with customers in key cities across the UK.
