Harrods delayed second H Beauty store due to open this spring

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Feb 12, 2021

Milton Keynes can breath a sigh of relief. Any doubts that Harrods may pull out of plans to open a beauty store in the Buckinghamshire town, or further delay its arrival due to the Covid pandemic, are unfounded.

The London-based luxury retailer, which had already postponed its initial autumn 2020 opening, has been advertising locally for staff for the H Beauty store, according to local reports.

The store is now expected to open in the former House of Fraser store this spring, after lockdown restrictions finish. However, no firm date has been set.

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Anecdotal evidence is that windows of the venture are now featuring 'opening soon' posters and the recruitment drive has been launched for staff.

Although beauty has been a major staple for Harrods at its world-famous Knightsbridge, London store, expanding the concept regionally was a big surprise for many.

Harrods opened its first standalone H Beauty store in Lakeside Essex last September. But that opening too was also delayed because of the pandemic.

The retailer said in 2020 it was “unbelievably well placed to take advantage of” the younger shopper who wants “to have really great quality beauty” and was upbeat about the chances of success for the new beauty chain.

Harrods said that while the brand portfolio will be similar across both the Lakeside and Milton Keynes locations, “the edit will be slightly different according to the culture of that location, city or that particular client and will allow H Beauty to be the central beauty hub in each destination”.

Premium beauty is a key growth area for retailers and Next is also expanding in this segment having launched its own specialist chain last year.