Sephora opens its first Scottish store at St James Quarter in Edinburgh.
Sephora has officially arrived in Scotland, opening its first-ever Scottish store at St James Quarter. The landmark launch kicks off “Sephora Summer”, a major period of UK expansion with four new stores due to open within eight weeks.
The store is huge – 4,961 square feet. It is Sephora UK’s 15th location and its third opening of 2026, with a Glasgow Silverburn store which will open next month. Stores in London’s Carnaby Street and Old Spitalfields Market will also open in the coming days, making this the retailer’s biggest period of expansion since it returned to the UK in 2023.
Hundreds of beauty fans queued to be among the first through the doors, before Sephora UK Managing Director Sarah Boyd officially cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the brand’s first Scottish store.
The moment was celebrated with a parade through St James Quarter, featuring homegrown talent including DJ Lu, drag artist Sally St Scott, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Sephora UK, said: “Scotland has been one of the most requested locations from our community, so opening our first Scottish store is an incredibly exciting milestone for Sephora UK.
“Edinburgh is a city with an amazing beauty community, incredible creativity and visitors from all over the world, making it the perfect place to continue our UK expansion.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming both local customers and visitors into the Sephora experience for the very first time.
“This opening also marks the beginning of a hugely exciting summer for Sephora UK as we continue expanding our footprint across the country with both destination stores and new boutique formats, allowing us to bring prestige beauty to more communities than ever before.”
Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director for St James Quarter, said: “The opening of Sephora’s first-ever Scottish store is a landmark moment for both the brand and St James Quarter.
“It’s exciting to see Sephora mark this significant milestone with a memorable launch event, from the ribbon-cutting ceremony to the performances taking place throughout the day.
“Welcoming such an internationally recognised beauty retailer to the Quarter further strengthens the destination’s appeal and gives visitors the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most sought-after beauty brands right here in Scotland.”
Sephora’s Edinburgh store brings a weekend of giveaways and glamour to St James Quarter
Customers visiting the store this weekend will be able to enjoy a packed programme of exclusive experiences, entertainment and giveaways celebrating Sephora’s long-awaited arrival in Scotland.
Highlights include a tartan-themed photobooth, the chance to feature on a digital billboard outside the store by sharing queue selfies, and surprise brand moments from Scottish-born label BYOMA, as well as Inde Wild, Le Monde Gourmand, Kayali, Sephora Collection and more. Shoppers can also pick up treats from Wingstop, Oakberry and local charity Coffee Saints.
Anyone making a purchase between 9 and 12 July 2026 (or while stocks last) will receive a Beauty Bonus Card, giving every customer an equal chance to instantly win prizes including goodie bags, Sephora merchandise, complimentary beauty services, exclusive products and discounts.
For the first time, Scottish beauty lovers can shop many of Sephora UK’s most sought-after and exclusive brands in person, including rhode, Haus Labs, Makeup By Mario, Merit Beauty, Half Magic, Yepoda and Tower 28, alongside viral favourites such as Tatcha, Tarte, Summer Fridays and Kosas. The Edinburgh store will also feature Sephora’s latest Beauty Scan technology, powered by an advanced lens attached to a Beauty Advisor’s phone, which analyses hydration levels, oil levels and foundation shade matching to deliver personalised product recommendations tailored to each customer’s skin needs.
Customers can also enjoy Sephora UK’s growing range of redeemable beauty services, alongside access to the MySephora loyalty programme, which offers free delivery for every member, points on every purchase, early access to launches, exclusive rewards and invitations to special events through the Sephora UK app.
More information about the brand here.
