Sephora opening in Manchester has been causing a bit of a stir, with more than 2,000 people queueing up this week to try and nab a free goodie bag.
And while the presents being handed out to the public are pretty impressive, it’s nothing compared to the VIP goodie bags given out at the store’s official launch on Wednesday.
A number of celebrities, influencers, press and other special guests were invited to have a sneak peek of the huge new shop at the Trafford Centre before its official opening to the public.
At the glittering celebration, VIPs were given a glimpse at the huge range of products on offer inside Sephora’s first UK store outside of London.
Those in attendance included actor and TV presenter actor Katie Mcglynn, TV personality Caroline Thomas, actress Alex Fletcher and radio one presenter Natalie O’Leary, Real Housewives of Cheshire, Love Island personalities, and professional footballer Courtney Duffus.
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Special guests of Sephora were then sent home with the goodie bag to end all goodie bags, stuffed full of full-sized cult products.
And having totted up the value of everything inside, we can confirm that each goodie bag is worth more than a grand (£1092.93, to be exact). Wowsers.
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Olaplex No.3Viral hair product minisBrazilian Bum Bum CreamJust a few of the cult items inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags. Credit: The Manc Group
Viral products inside include Makeup By Mario lipstick, Olaplex, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Glossier You perfume, and MorrocanOil hair treatments.
There are also TikTok sensations like the Dr Jart Tiger Grass treatment, which comes out of its tub green but magically turns beige on the skin, cancelling out redness.
And Tarte’s take on the revolutionary tubing mascara, which comes off your lashes with only water and a wipe, was also chucked in.
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The most high-value items in the Sephora goodie bags were an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream worth £64, Caudalie’s brightening serum at £52, and a Neom candle for £38.
M&S launches pioneering new clothing repair service across the UK
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a pioneering new clothing repair service across the UK in a bid to give garments “another life”.
After some new research carried out by the retailer found that only 10% of the population would consider themselves to be confident enough to repair clothing on their own, and 60% of consumers are also looking for retailers to offer more services that help them in to lower their carbon footprint, M&S has decided that now is a good time to kick-start a new sustainable initiative.
The company has partnered with clothing repair and alterations experts, SOJO, to launch the new ‘M&S fixed by SOJO’ hub.
Set to launch online nationwide in August, the new clothing repair service will support shoppers in giving their M&S clothes “another life”, all while reduce textile waste at the same time.
M&S is launching a pioneering new clothing repair service across the UK / Credit: Fujiphilm (via Unsplash) | Wallace Chuck (via Pexels)
Through a dedicated online hub, M&S customers will be able to select and book a range of bespoke repair services, with everything from zip replacements to invisible knitwear mending on offer, all through one simple form.
Repairs are expected to start from just £5, according to M&S.
And when it comes to timelines and turnarounds, M&S says that clothing can be sent, repaired by SOJOs in-house repair team, and then returned directly to the customer’s doorstep within seven to 10 days.
The partnership with SOJO will form a crucial part of M&S’s ‘Plan A – Another Life’ scheme – which also includes the retailer’s long-running clothes donation partnership with Oxfam, formerly known as ‘Shwopping’, and the Beauty Takeback Scheme with Handle.
M&S wants the ‘Plan A’ scheme, as a whole, to provide a more “seamless experience” for customers who are looking for ways to support a “shift” to a more “circular economy”.
As well as a range of services, the ‘Plan A – Another Life’ platform will also be home to a selection of 60-second ‘how to’ videos created by M&S’ team of in-house technical experts, covering everything from debobbling knitwear, to adjusting hemlines.
Featured Image – M&S
Shopping
Amazon UK is now offering 50% off Prime memberships for anyone aged 18-22
Emily Sergeant
Amazon is now offering all 18-22-year-olds in the UK 50% off a Prime membership.
In what could be an absolute game-changer for all youngsters battling with the rising cost of living crisison a daily basis, anyone who is between the ages of 18 and 22 can now sign up for an Amazon Prime membership at half the price.
The new offer means young adults can enjoy the full range of Amazon Prime benefits, all without having to fork-out the usual full membership price.
You may already be aware that half-price Prime has been available to students in the UK through Prime Student since 2014, but this new offer means it’s now available to all 18-22-year-olds in the UK, regardless of whether they’re in university or not.
And it’s just in time for the annual Amazon Prime Day on Tuesday 16 July too.
For just £4.49 per month, or £47.49 per year, all 18-22-year-olds can now get free next-day delivery, exclusive savings and deals, and award-winning entertainment like Prime Video and Amazon Music.
They can also make the most of other Prime membership benefits like free food delivery options on both Deliveroo and HelloFresh, discounted tickets at ODEON cinemas, free games through Prime Gaming, and thousands of free books, magazines, and comics each month.
Alongside this, Amazon has also announced that all 18-22-year-old customers will get to benefit from some exclusive perks that are tailored especially for students and young adults, including discounts on grocery, travel, books, and fashion.
Amazon UK is now offering 50% off Prime memberships for anyone aged 18-22 / Credit: Marques Thomas (via Unsplash) | Amazon UK
“We’re always looking for ways to provide more value to our customers,” commented John Boumphrey, who is the UK Country Manager at Amazon, as the company announced the new half-price membership this week.
“Offering 18-22-year-olds 50% off Prime membership helps to make the wide range of Prime benefits even more accessible to young people.
“This is a really important time in their lives, so helping them save while enjoying great shopping and entertainment benefits will make a big difference, whether they’re going to university, starting work, or moving out of home for the first time.”