We’re used to hearing about stores opening at Liverpool One these days but news has emerged that a high-profile retailer at the giant mall is shutting down.

The Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar that’s been open since 2012 is to close with a Harvey Nichols spokesperson saying the company is focusing on “full category stores”. 

That’s a key part of its growth strategy under still-new Julia Goddard, a former Alexander McQueen exec, but is interesting given the growth and importance of the premium beauty sector. 

In fact, standalone beauty stores remain a key part of rival Harrods’ strategy via its H Beauty chain, while Boots has opened a beauty-only store, Sephora is expanding fast and other retailers like M&S and Next continue to see beauty as a key category.

But perhaps it’s the intensifying competition that’s the issue and in fact, Sephora is opening at Liverpool One this spring.

Harvey Nichols also said: “We have reviewed our store portfolio and mutually agreed with the landlord of our Beauty Bazaar location in Liverpool to surrender the lease as we focus on investment into full-category stores.

“Unfortunately, this means that our employees in the Liverpool store may be at risk of redundancy. We have entered into a consultation process and are doing everything we can to support those affected by the surrender.”

A Liverpool One spokesman said the store has “has made an important contribution to Liverpool One success since opening. We’re committed to bringing the best, in-demand brands to [the mall] and we have well-progressed plans to transform the space that will ensure Liverpool One continues to go from the strength-to-strength.”

The closure is expected in the middle of next month and will leave a noticeable gap in the mall given its large size (it covers 22,000 sq ft and three floors). But Liverpool One, which is now almost solely owned by landlord Landsec, should have no problem filling the space that was once a Habitat store. The centre is one of the UK’s supermalls and has announced a raft of openings in recent years showing that it’s one of the key destinations on retailer wishlists.