Retail in Asia

In Markets

France’s Sephora to open first New Zealand store

France’s Sephora to open first New Zealand store

French cosmetics retailer Sephora opens its first New Zealand store on July 20, 2019, announcing the news on its Sephora New Zealand Instagram account.

SEE ALSO : Lululemon partners with Sephora

LVMH-owned Sephora will make its debut in Auckland this month, setting up shop at number 152 Queen Street — a popular shopping precinct that sees 15 million visitors each year.

The three-storey brick-and-mortar flagship will open nearby international cosmetics rival, Mecca Maxima, according to New Zealand media reports.

Sephora makes its New Zealand debut after several years of speculation surrounding the beauty giant’s entry into the southern hemisphere nation. Prior to this latest
announcement by Sephora, the Paris-based retailer started imminent opening rumours, advertising for Auckland staff back in April.

The Auckland opening is part of a larger push into Asia and the Pacific, with both Hong Kong and Korea locations planned before year-end.

“This expansion to a new market will allow Sephora to continue to amplify global beauty trends locally, elevate what our clients expect of the in-store experience and bring fresh, digital touch points to the retail environment,” said Sephora Asia president Benjamin Vuchot.

The Auckland opening day will feature giveaways, a live DJ and a dance performance from the store’s employees. Auckland will also serve as the final destination of a Sephora tour bus, which set off from Christchurch for a journey across New Zealand earlier this month, stopping off at Wellington and Hamilton along the way.

According to New Zealand media, Sephora is also expected to open a second Auckland location at the Sylvia Park Shopping Centre before the end of the year.

SEE ALSO : Sephora to make glitzy debut in Gangnam

In Asia-Pacific, Sephora already has stores in China, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, and Malaysia, as well as franchises in India and Indonesia.