Hundreds camp overnight ahead of Sephora’s Liverpool store opening

Hundreds of people camped overnight outside Liverpool’s new Sephora store.

One person in the queue told the BBC those near the front joined the queue at about 9pm on 21 May with the store due to open at 9am.

Sephora was previously only an international brand, but has branched out to the UK with stores in Manchester and London.

Sephora has promised the first 500 customers through its doors will get a free gift.

The new store occupies a 6,727 sq ft (2,050 sq m) space formerly occupied by the shoe and sportswear brand Footlocker on South John Street.

Last month similar early morning queues formed when Uniqlo opened up in Liverpool ONE.

Sephora stores don’t just sell make-up, but also offer fragrances, skincare and hair products from brands including Rare Beauty, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga and Make Up by Mario.

It is owned by LVMH Group and soared in popularity thanks to TikTok and Instagram users who often film themselves in stores.

Some fans will travel to different cities just to get their hands on Sephora products in person.

It operates more than 2,700 shops in 35 countries worldwide, after it was first founded in France, external in 1970.