Sephora Opens New Beauty Store at Brent Cross North London 2026

Key Points

• French beauty retailer Sephora officially opened the doors to its new store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north London at 10am on November 12, 2026.
• Reports vary slightly on the unit’s exact footprint, with initial leasing announcements and opening-day copy citing 4,500 sq ft and local reporting also noting a 5,500 sq ft space.
• The store stocks hundreds of makeup, skincare, hair care, body, and fragrance brands, including Sephora Collection and “Only At Sephora” exclusives such as Tower 28, Merit, rhode, Makeup by Mario, Haus Labs, Obart, and inde wild.
• Opening weekend festivities include live entertainment, giveaways, limited-edition samples, and new product launches from Violette_FR and Saie.
• The launch marks a return to Brent Cross for Sephora, which previously operated a store at the centre in 2000 before closing it a few years later.
• Lifestyle fashion retailer Hollister is also scheduled to open a 6,500 sq ft store at the shopping centre in the coming weeks as part of operator Hammerson’s wider leasing strategy.

Brent Cross (North London News) November 12, 2026 – Global beauty retailer Sephora threw open the doors to its new north London store at 10am on Thursday, bringing exclusive beauty brands, expert advisory services, and festive gift offerings to the shopping centre. The opening marks the French brand’s return to the site more than two decades after its previous outlet closed, and forms one of two major retail arrivals at the mall alongside an upcoming Hollister store.

According to reporting by the Ham&High, the beauty retailer began welcoming shoppers at 10am on November 12, with the new branch offering a broad catalogue across makeup, skincare, hair care, body products, and perfumes. While the main body of the Ham&High report and earlier leasing statements from property operator Hammerson describe the unit as measuring 4,500 sq ft, a photo caption within the same Ham&High coverage also refers to the space as a 5,500 sq ft unit.

Which beauty brands and in-store services are available at the new Sephora store?

As reported by the Ham&High, the Brent Cross branch stocks hundreds of established beauty labels alongside Sephora’s own budget-friendly line, Sephora Collection. Shoppers visiting the north London location can also access a range of “Only At Sephora” exclusive brands, including Tower 28, Merit, rhode, Makeup by Mario, Haus Labs, Obart, and inde wild.

In line with Sephora’s wider UK store format, the Brent Cross outlet is staffed by trained beauty advisors who provide personalised consultations and immersive retail experiences. To mark the launch, the retailer announced an opening weekend programme featuring in-store entertainment, customer giveaways, and limited-edition samples, coinciding with new brand launches from Violette_FR and Saie.

Posting on Instagram on opening day, Sephora wrote:

“Brent Cross, we just couldn’t stay away. We’re officially BACK at @brentcross_sc, and we’ve brought all the best beauty with us. From the immaculate opening vibes to welcoming you all through our doors, what a comeback it’s been. Missed us? Because we missed you.”

What have retail and property executives said about the opening?

As reported by Terry Clark of 365 Retail and confirmed in corporate announcements by centre operator Hammerson, Sephora UK and teen-focused fashion brand Hollister were identified as the two most requested retail additions by Brent Cross shoppers. The Brent Cross branch represents the sixth Sephora UK store within Hammerson’s retail portfolio.

Speaking when the leasing agreements were announced in August 2026, Catherine Wade, Leasing Manager at Hammerson, stated:

“As one of the most recognisable names in global beauty retail, Sephora UK will further strengthen our beauty and lifestyle offer at Brent Cross. Together with Hollister, they will provide customers with more exciting reasons to visit and build on our continued momentum. They reflect the confidence of leading international brands in Brent Cross and the strength of our North London catchment.”

Earlier in the summer of 2026, following the launch of Sephora’s smaller boutique format on London’s Carnaby Street, Sarah Boyd, Managing Director at Sephora UK, commented on the brand’s capital expansion, as reported by Camilla Rydzek of TheIndustry.beauty:

“Since returning to the UK, our community has continued to ask for more Sephora locations across central London, so we’re incredibly proud to bring this exciting new format to one of the world’s most iconic shopping destinations after a period of regional expansion.”

What is the background of Sephora and Brent Cross Shopping Centre?

Sephora previously maintained a physical presence at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in 2000 before closing the branch a few years later when the French retailer exited the UK market in 2005. Following its return to Britain, Sephora has steadily expanded its physical footprint across London and regional shopping destinations. Prior to the Brent Cross launch, the company operated four stores in London—including boutique-format sites on Carnaby Street and at Spitalfields market opened in July 2026—alongside 14 other stores across the UK, including a branch in Glasgow.

Brent Cross Shopping Centre itself is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Built by Hammerson on the former site of Hendon Greyhound Stadium next to the North Circular Road, the 800,000 sq ft mall opened in March 1976 as the UK’s first purpose-built, American-style out-of-town covered shopping centre. Over the past five years, Hammerson has invested more than £20 million into the destination, including work on a modernised black exterior facade during its 50th birthday year. During the first half of 2026, Hammerson exchanged 18 lease agreements at the centre, bringing in operators such as Miniso, Oliver Bonas, an upsized Mango, a TeamSport go-karting venue, and the District food hall. Hollister is scheduled to open its 6,500 sq ft unit directly opposite Sephora in the coming weeks.

How could this development affect north London shoppers and Brent Cross retailers?

For north London consumers, the opening removes the need to travel into central London or to West London’s Westfield London to access Sephora’s physical store network and “Only At Sephora” product lines. Located on the upper floor of the mall just ahead of the peak Christmas trading period, the store gives local shoppers direct access to seasonal beauty gifts, in-person shade matching, and consultation services.

For Hammerson and existing tenants at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, the arrival of Sephora—followed shortly by Hollister—is positioned to broaden the mall’s demographic reach, particularly among younger and teen-to-young-adult shoppers. Combined with recent leisure and dining additions, the presence of two high-demand international retailers may increase overall footfall and dwell time across the centre during the final quarter of 2026 and into 2027, while placing greater competitive pressure on existing beauty and personal care counters within the mall.