Makeup superstore Sephora has confirmed its widely anticipated return to Hong Kong in physical store form.

The LVMH-owned cosmetics retailer will sublease a 4000sqft space in the Zara store at IFC Mall in Central, nine years after it closed its last store in the territory.

Despite its physical absence in the market, Sephora Hong Kong has continued to sell products online to loyal customers.

The last Sephora Hong Kong store traded for just two years in Mong Kok, closing in 2010. At the time, retail commentators said the brand failed due to poor store location, lacklustre marketing and high rents.

Sephora is popular in Mainland China and has stores across Southeast Asia trading profitably, especially in Singapore and Malaysia.

According to news reports in Chinese media, Sephora has subleased the space from Zara for HK$2 million (US$254,800) per month.