Sephora Hong Kong has confirmed not one, but eight stores in its return to brick-and-mortar retailing in the territory – but shoppers will have to wait until August for the first outlet to open.
As previously reported by Inside Retail Hong Kong, the LVMH-owned chain will open a 4200sqft store in IFC Mall after a 10-year absence from the city.
In an announcement confirming its plans, Sephora Hong Kong says it will open a second store at Windsor House in Causeway Bay in the fourth quarter of this year and expand its online offer. Six more stores will follow over a three-year timeframe, their locations as yet not revealed.
In a statement, Benjamin Vuchot, president of Sephora Asia, said the company currently operates in 12 countries and during the next three years sees its retail presence expanding by almost 50 per cent across Asia.
“Hong Kong, being strategically located in the Greater Bay Area, allows us to meet the growing demands from Hong Kong consumers, as well as tourists from Mainland China and Southeast Asia,” he said.
“We believe that Hong Kong will be a key market … giving Sephora the opportunity to amplify global beauty trends locally, elevate the in-store retail experience and to bring in digital touch points within the brick-and-mortar format to create a virtuous customer centric cycle.”
Sephora said the retail landscape in Hong Kong has changed significantly over the 10 years since Sephora last had a store there.
“Conventional retail with a physical presence has proven higher chances of winning in a market with strong digital development. Moreover, the re-launch of Sephora brings to Hong Kong’s department store-focused retail landscape a much-needed prestige retail chain for an authentic omni-channel experience,” the statement said.
Sephora Hong Kong plans to make beauty “more personalised, fun and interactive” upon its return, allowing customers “the freedom to experience products that work for them, learn tips and tricks, as well as to have access to unbiased beauty services from beauty advisors”.
The company plans more than 40 brands of cosmetics exclusive to Sephora stores in the city, along with its own in-house label Sephora Collection. It has promised to include local Hong Kong brands in its offer as well, over time.
Digital innovation will play an integral role in Sephora’s traditional retail experience, with vending machines to be located in stores to support the Beauty Pass loyalty program, an app powered by member insights to drive seamless customer service, a digital skincare consultation for immediate and accurate recommendations, and the opportunity to go online to book in-store makeovers.
