2 retail brands expand in Puerto Rico with new mall locations
Two new retail arrivals are coming to Puerto Rico shopping centers, with Carolina Jewelry opening its first physical location at Plaza Las Américas and Sephora preparing to launch a store at the Shops at Caguas early next year.
The additions expand the island’s retail mix by bringing in both a local emerging brand and a global beauty retailer.
Carolina Jewelry, founded in 2018 by Puerto Rican entrepreneur Vanessa Bermúdez, invested $30,000 to establish its first brick-and-mortar presence after eight years of online and wholesale growth.
The new cart-style space, called the Styling Booth, is on the first level of Plaza Las Américas between Macy’s and Casa Febus. Bermúdez said the brand had waited four years for an opening at the mall.
“This move allows us to deepen our relationship with customers, increase visibility and strengthen our omnichannel strategy — integrating online, wholesale and now direct retail,” she said.
The Styling Booth is designed for fast, personalized shopping based on style preferences and skin tone. It features the full collection of hypoallergenic pieces made of 925 silver, Brazilian-made gold-layered designs and 316 stainless steel.
Bermúdez described the opening as a “major milestone” and a model the company plans to replicate in other malls.
Sephora, meanwhile, will expand its Puerto Rico presence with a store at the Shops at Caguas, becoming the company’s third location on the island. Mall owner Urban Edge Properties said the addition supports an ongoing merchandise upgrade that has brought in SectorSixty6, Mango, Puma and a flagship Foot Locker.
“Our shoppers expect a combination of global brands and high-quality local favorites, and Sephora will add substantially to our offering,” said Paul Schiffer, the company’s senior vice president of leasing.
The Shops at Caguas has more than 100 tenants.
