Beauty retailer Sephora is set to return to the UK market after a seven-year absence, with the company’s new Global Chief Brand Officer Steve Lesnard leading the charge. Lesnard, who previously served as the CMO of outdoor apparel brand The North Face, joined Sephora in March 2022 and has since been working on expanding the company’s global reach.

In an interview with Fashion Gone Rogue, Lesnard discussed his plans for Sephora’s return to the UK. “We are very excited to be returning to the UK market,” he said. “We have a strong loyal customer base in the UK, and we are confident that our unique approach to beauty will be well-received by British consumers.”

Lesnard added that Sephora plans to open multiple brick-and-mortar locations across the UK, as well as launching an e-commerce platform to make it easier for customers to shop online. He also revealed that Sephora will be partnering with British beauty brands, providing them with a platform to showcase their products to a global audience.

According to Lesnard, Sephora’s unique approach to beauty sets the company apart from its competitors. “At Sephora, we believe that beauty should be inclusive, accessible, and fun,” he said. “We offer a wide range of products from popular brands, as well as our own private label, and we provide our customers with a personalized experience through our Beauty Advisors and in-store services.”

Sephora’s return to the UK is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its global presence and reach new customers. Under Lesnard’s leadership, Sephora has also recently entered the Chinese market and opened its first store in Brazil. “We are committed to bringing the Sephora experience to customers around the world,” Lesnard said. “Our goal is to make beauty accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.”