Alison Hahn, a pivotal figure in Sephora’s merchandising landscape, is set to retire at the end of August. Currently serving as the senior vice president of merchandising for makeup, fragrance, and Sephora at Kohl’s, Hahn has been a transformative force within the company. As she prepares to leave her position, major changes are taking place within Sephora’s internal structure, highlighting her impact on the organization and the beauty industry as a whole.
Effective August 25, several key promotions have been announced to fill the void that Hahn will leave. Carye Campbell has been promoted to senior vice president of merchandising for fragrance, signaling a commitment to maintaining strong leadership in one of Sephora’s most profitable categories. Meanwhile, Amy Abrams, already a senior vice president for makeup, will take on a broader role that encompasses the entire category of makeup. This newly expanded remit will see Jennifer Cohen, the vice president of makeup merchandising, reporting directly to Abrams, indicating an effort to consolidate and strengthen Sephora’s makeup offerings.
Further organizational shifts include Laurette Puhlmann’s promotion to senior director, where she will oversee the entire Sephora Collection of makeup, reporting to Cohen. The company is also on the lookout for a new vice president of merchandising role specifically for makeup, showing a proactive strategy to ensure continued innovation and leadership in this competitive market. Sydney Feeter and Jessica Harvey will join Abrams’ team to further bolster the makeup division, indicating a fresh alignment of talent aimed at navigating the rapidly evolving beauty landscape.
At Sephora at Kohl’s, Bronwen Russell will take charge of merchandising and will report to Carolyn Bojanowski, the executive vice president of merchandising for the U.S. This transition is crucial as Bojanowski has emphasized the lasting legacy that Alison Hahn leaves behind. In a memo to employees, she praised Hahn as one of the beauty industry’s top merchants, commending her role in the discovery of breakout brands like Haus Labs and Rare Beauty. Hahn’s strategic foresight has also been instrumental in expanding the fragrance category and successfully integrating over 100 beauty brands into Sephora at Kohl’s.
With the makeup category holding its ground as the largest segment in the U.S. prestige beauty market and fragrance being the fastest-growing category, Sephora is not standing still. New product launches continue to emerge, including the recent unveiling of Mary Phillips’ makeup brand, M.Ph, and Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty fragrance line, which highlights the ongoing demand for innovative and exciting products in the beauty space. This dynamic environment showcases the importance of carving out niche offerings that resonate with modern consumers.
Reflecting on her career, Hahn emphasizes the necessity of a client-first mindset in retail. She believes that successful merchants must prioritize the client experience over ego-driven decisions. Her journey into beauty merchandising, which began after stints in home, fashion, and accessories, has been deeply rooted in understanding customer needs and trends. Ultimately, her legacy at Sephora not only includes the brands she helped establish but also sets a standard for future leaders in the beauty industry. Hahn’s impactful approach serves as a reminder that, in this industry, innovation and customer loyalty are intertwined, guiding businesses toward sustainable success.