LVMH-owned Sephora exit from Taiwan market

On May 4, global beauty retailer Sephora, a subsidiary of LVMH, announced that it will end operations of its official website and mobile app in Taiwan, China starting May 11. The decision quickly stirred discussion among consumers and the local beauty community.

Sephora did not explain the reason behind the sudden closure and has so far declined to comment on whether it plans to re-enter the Taiwan market. According to the statement, all product and service authorizations related to Taiwan will be cancelled in the coming months — a move the company says is aimed at avoiding potential legal or operational disputes.

For the time being, the customer service hotline will stop accepting shopping-related inquiries. Sephora noted that its official online platform in Taiwan remains active until the termination date, while other regional sites in Asia will continue operating normally.

The brand also hinted at a broader expansion strategy across the Asia-Pacific region, which could include new physical stores, e-commerce sites, and additional retail partnerships later this year.

Sephora first entered Taiwan in October 2021, launching its online store without physical retail outlets. The brand’s exit marks the end of only about 18 months of operation.

Founded in France in 1969, Sephora became part of LVMH’s selective retailing division in 1997 and now manages more than 1,600 stores worldwide.

According to LVMH’s 2022 financial report, revenue from its boutique retailing segment grew 26% year-on-year to €14.85 billion, driven largely by Sephora’s strong global performance. The report described Sephora’s results as its “strongest growth ever,” citing robust sales in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and most Southeast Asian markets. Key growth areas included cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance, supported by continued momentum in e-commerce.