Previous Starbucks executive taking over as Sephora CEO

1 min readUpdated May 28, 2025Sep 14, 202011:06 PM

In this article (5)

LVMH has appointed ex Starbuck executive Martin Brok as president and CEO of Sephora. Brok will start his new role on Monday, succeeding Chris de la Puente. Chris will remain a member of the LVMH executive committee and “take on additional responsibilities at a later date.”

Under Chris’ leadership, Sephora wholesales have tripled and achieved a strong omnichannel presence, according to the company.

“The appointment of Martin Brok marks a new era for the company as a period of transformation begins for the beauty retail industry, in particular with the rise of online sales.”

Brok had worked at Starbucks Corporation as president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa since 2016, after holding general management roles at Nike.

AdvertisementAdvertise with usMobile 320×100

What this means

LVMH's choice of Martin Brok suggests a clear mandate to accelerate Sephora's digital transformation, using his extensive experience from Starbucks and Nike. While Chris de la Puente delivered strong omnichannel growth, Brok's appointment pressures rivals by signaling aggressive online expansion in a rapidly evolving beauty market. This move mirrors Chipotle's recent partnership strategy for Asian market entry, highlighting a broader trend towards using external expertise for expansion. The risk lies in potentially de-emphasising the physical store experience that Tiffany & Co. And Panpuri continue to invest in within Asia. Watch for Sephora's next major e-commerce platform announcement or regional digital campaign to gauge the new strategy's immediate direction.

Maria Santos · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What is the new CEO's name and when does he start his role?

Martin Brok is the new president and CEO of Sephora. He will begin his new position on Monday, taking over from the previous leader, Chris de la Puente.

What significant achievements did Chris de la Puente oversee during his leadership at Sephora?

Under Chris de la Puente's leadership, Sephora's wholesale figures tripled. The company also developed a robust omnichannel presence, indicating strong growth in both online and offline retail.

What roles did Martin Brok hold before joining Sephora?

Before becoming CEO of Sephora, Martin Brok served as president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Starbucks Corporation since 2016. He also held various general management positions at Nike prior to Starbucks.

What is Chris de la Puente's future role within LVMH?

Chris de la Puente will stay on as a member of the LVMH executive committee. He is expected to assume further responsibilities within the company at a later, unspecified date.

Reader pulse

Is Brok's appointment the right move for Sephora's future?

24,002 votes so far