History of Sephora in Timeline
Sephora is a multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products based in France. Carrying nearly 340 brands, along with their own private label, Sephora Collection, they offer a wide range of products including cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, nail color, beauty tools, body products, and hair care. Sephora operates internationally and provides a diverse selection of both established and emerging beauty brands, catering to a global consumer base.
August 1970: Sephora's Launch in Paris
Sephora launched in Paris in August 1970, deriving its name from Zipporah, Moses's wife.
1993: Sephora's Acquisition and Merger
In 1993, Dominique Mandonnaud acquired Sephora and merged it with his perfume chain, introducing the "assisted self-service" sales model.
July 1997: LVMH Acquisition and Global Expansion
Sephora was sold to LVMH in July 1997, leading to global expansion and a wider product range.
1998: Sephora Enters the US Market
Sephora opened its first US store in New York City in 1998.
1999: Sephora Launches US Online Store
Sephora launched its online store in the US in 1999.
2000: Sephora.com Acquires Eve.com Assets
In 2000, Sephora.com acquired the assets of online beauty retailer Eve.com for a "high six-figure" sum.
2003: Sephora Launches Canadian Online Store
Sephora launched its online store in Canada in 2003.
2004: Sephora's Canadian Debut
Sephora opened its first Canadian store in Toronto in 2004.
February 2006: Sephora Opens Middle East Head Office
In February 2006, Sephora's Middle East head office was established by Pierre Fayard, marking the company's expansion into the region.
October 2006: Sephora Opens Stores Inside JCPenney
Sephora began opening stores inside JCPenney locations in October 2006.
January 2007: Sephora Opens First Middle East Store
Sephora's first Middle East store opened in Seef Mall, Bahrain on January 7, 2007.
February 2007: Sephora Opens Canadian Head Office
Sephora opened its Canadian head office in February 2007, led by Marie-Christine Marchives.
March 2007: Sephora Expands in UAE
Sephora opened its first store in the UAE at Festival City on March 1, 2007, following its Bahrain launch.
2007: Sephora's Expansion to the Middle East
Sephora expanded its operations into the Middle East in 2007, opening stores and an e-commerce platform.
December 2008: Sephora Opens Flagship Dubai Mall Store
In December 2008, Sephora's Dubai Mall store opened, eventually becoming the company's top-performing location globally.
2010: Sephora's Expansion Plans Derailed
Sephora's initial goal of opening 100 stores in the Middle East by 2010 was affected by the international financial crisis.
2011: Sephora CEO Steps Down
Jacques Levy, Sephora's CEO, stepped down in 2011.
September 2013: Sephora Champs Élysées Attracts Millions
As of September 2013, the Sephora store at Champs Élysées in Paris attracted over six million visitors annually.
2013: Sephora Introduces New Fragrance and Makeup Lines
In 2013, Sephora introduced fragrance collections by Elizabeth and James (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen), Coto Beauty Cosmetics, and a makeup line with Marc Jacobs.
November 18, 2014: Sephora Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Racial Discrimination
On November 18, 2014, Sephora was sued in a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against Asian customers. The lawsuit claimed Sephora deactivated customer rewards accounts based on email domains, suspecting bulk buying and reselling.
2014: Sephora Launches in Australia
Sephora opened its first store in Australia in 2014.
August 2015: Sephora Announces Play! Subscription Service
Sephora announced its Play! by Sephora subscription service in August 2015.
September 2015: Play! by Sephora Test Launch
Sephora's Play! subscription service began its initial test launch in Boston, Columbus, and Cincinnati in September 2015.
August 2016: Sephora's 400th North American Store
Sephora opened its 400th North American store, a flagship location, in Chicago on August 26, 2016.
November 2016: Sephora Launches Online Shopping in the Middle East
Sephora introduced online shopping to the Middle East in November 2016, expanding its reach in the region.
2016: Play! by Sephora US Launch
Sephora's Play! subscription service launched throughout the US in 2016.
December 2017: Sephora Opens World's First Beauty Theme Park
Sephora launched "Gifts Beauty Park," a pop-up beauty theme park in Dubai, in December 2017, offering interactive experiences and makeup services.
2017: JCPenney Closures Affect Sephora Locations
In 2017, JCPenney announced the closure of 138 stores, some of which included Sephora locations.
2017: Sephora's Largest North American Store Opens
Sephora's largest North American store opened near Herald Square in New York City in 2017, featuring over 13,000 products and interactive services.
March 2018: Sephora Appoints New President for Europe and Middle East
Guillaume Motte was appointed as the new president of Sephora Europe and Middle East in March 2018.
2018: Huda Beauty Top Selling Brand at Sephora Middle East
In 2018, Huda Beauty became the top-selling cosmetic brand at Sephora Middle East, as reported by Forbes.
2018: Sephora Signs Lease in Mexico
On November 19, 2018, Sephora signed a lease at Thor Equities’ Town Square Metepec, a retail and entertainment center in Mexico.
April 2019: SZA Accuses Sephora of Racial Profiling
R&B singer SZA accused Sephora of racial profiling in April 2019.
May 23, 2019: Sephora Announces Diversity Training
Sephora announced diversity training for its staff on May 23, 2019.
June 5, 2019: Sephora Holds Diversity Training
Sephora closed all locations on June 5, 2019, for diversity training as part of the "We Belong to Something Beautiful" campaign.
April 2020: Sephora Discontinues Play!, Introduces Luxe
Sephora discontinued its Play! subscription service in April 2020, replacing it with the on-demand sampling service Sephora Luxe.
June 2020: Maddie Ziegler Collaboration Launches at Sephora Canada
Maddie Ziegler's imagination collection with Morphe launched at Sephora Canada in June 2020.
December 2020: Sephora Announces Partnership with Kohl's
Sephora announced its partnership with Kohl's in December 2020, planning to open Sephora shops within Kohl's stores.
July 26, 2021: Sephora Acquires Feelunique.com
Sephora acquired Feelunique.com, a UK-based online beauty retailer, on July 26, 2021.
August 6, 2021: First Sephora Locations Open Inside Kohl's
The first four Sephora at Kohl's locations opened on August 6, 2021.
July 13, 2022: Sephora Partners with Afterpay
Sephora partnered with Afterpay to offer four-installment payment options on July 13, 2022.
November 2022: Sephora Canada Opens 100th Store
Sephora opened its 100th store in Canada in November 2022.
October 2023: Artemis Patrick Appointed President of Sephora North America
Artemis Patrick was appointed President of Sephora North America in October 2023, set to become CEO upon Jean-André Rougeot's retirement.
2023: Sephora at Kohl's Exceeds Sales Expectations
Sephora at Kohl's surpassed $1.4 billion in sales in 2023.
2023: Sephora Becomes First US Retailer of Luna Daily
Sephora became the first US retailer of Luna Daily feminine hygiene and cosmetic products in 2023.
