Ulta Beauty vs CVS 2026: Store Locations & Selection
Ulta Beauty is a dedicated beauty retailer with 1,300+ stores offering 25,000+ products across 500+ brands, while CVS is a pharmacy chain with 9,600+ locations that carries beauty as a secondary category with ~2,000 beauty SKUs. Ulta caters to beauty enthusiasts seeking variety and expertise, while CVS serves convenience-focused shoppers combining pharmacy and beauty needs.
Ulta Beauty
Specialty beauty retailer with 1,400+ US stores featuring 500+ brands and expert consultants
Beauty enthusiasts, makeup professionals, luxury brand seekers, and customers wanting expert advice and services.
CVS Pharmacy
National pharmacy and drugstore chain with 9,600+ locations offering health, beauty, and household products.
Convenience-focused shoppers, customers combining pharmacy and beauty needs, budget-conscious drugstore beauty buyers, and those seeking quick accessibility.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryUlta Beauty is a dedicated beauty retailer with 1,300+ stores offering 25,000+ products across 500+ brands, while CVS is a pharmacy chain with 9,600+ locations that carries beauty as a secondary category with ~2,000 beauty SKUs. Ulta caters to beauty enthusiasts seeking variety and expertise, while CVS serves convenience-focused shoppers combining pharmacy and beauty needs.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Ulta Beauty if you're a beauty enthusiast seeking extensive product selection, expert consultations, premium brand access, and a specialized shopping experience with 500+ brands. Choose CVS if you prioritize convenience, want to combine pharmacy and beauty shopping, need accessible locations (9,600 vs 1,300), or prefer quick trips for drugstore beauty staples without the focus on prestige brands.
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TIE — neck and neck
Choose Ulta Beauty if
Beauty enthusiasts, makeup professionals, luxury brand seekers, and customers wanting expert advice and services.
Choose CVS Pharmacy if
Convenience-focused shoppers, customers combining pharmacy and beauty needs, budget-conscious drugstore beauty buyers, and those seeking quick accessibility.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Store Count (US):✓ CVS Pharmacy wins(9,600+ locations vs 1,300+ locations)
- Beauty Brand Selection:✓ Ulta Beauty wins(500+ brands vs 150+ brands)
- Beauty Product SKUs:✓ Ulta Beauty wins(25,000+ products vs 2,000 products)
Key Facts & Figures
26 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Ulta Beauty | CVS Pharmacy | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total US Store Locations(stores) | 1,400 stores | — | — |
| Beauty Product Selection(products) | 25,000+ products | — | — |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ brands | — | — |
| Loyalty Program Members(members) | 40 million (Ultamate) | — | — |
| Average Beauty Product Markup(%) | 12-15% higher than Target | — | — |
| Same-Day Pickup Speed(hours) | 2 hours (most locations) | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2023)(USD billion) | $10.2 billion | — | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 1,300+ | 9,600+ | |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ | 150+ | |
| Beauty Product SKUs(products) | 25,000+ | 2,000 | |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(%) | 1.25% all purchases | 2% pharmacy only | |
| Premium Brand Exclusivity(brands) | 80+ premium/luxury brands | 5+ premium brands | |
| Average Distance to Store(miles) | 8.2 miles (avg urban) | 1.5 miles (avg urban) | |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $10.2B | $40.3B | |
| Total Store Locations(locations) | 1,400+ | 9,600+ | |
| Beauty Brand Variety(brands) | 500+ | 150-200 | |
| Luxury Brand Availability(brands) | 100+ (MAC, Dyson, Charlotte Tilbury, etc.) | 5-10 | |
| Ultamate/ExtraCare Rewards Rate(percent cashback) | 1.25% standard, 3.5% on prestige | 2-4% on select categories | |
| In-Store Makeup Consultation Services(locations offering) | 800+ locations | 0 dedicated services | |
| Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 or more | $35 or more | |
| Online-to-Store Pickup Speed(hours) | Same-day in select areas | Same-day in select areas | |
| Number of US Physical Locations(stores) | 1,400+ | — | — |
| Brand Partnerships in Beauty(brands) | 500+ | — | — |
| Average Beauty Product Price Point(USD) | $65-85 average transaction | — | — |
| Loyalty Rewards on Beauty Purchases(points per dollar) | 1.25X points multiplier | — | — |
| 2024 Total Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $13.1B | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 1,300+ locationsStore Count (US)9,600+ locations(winner)
- 500+ brands(winner)Beauty Brand Selection150+ brands
- 25,000+ products(winner)Beauty Product SKUs2,000 products
- 1.25% Ulta Rewards (all purchases)Loyalty Program Reward Rate2% ExtraBucks (pharmacy items only)
- Beauty only(winner)Primary Business FocusPharmacy + convenience + beauty
- Beauty consultations, makeovers, salon services(winner)In-Store ServicesPharmacy services, minute clinics
- MAC, Too Faced, Urban Decay, Benefit(winner)Exclusive Brands (Premium)Limited exclusive partnerships
- Store Count (US)
Ulta Beauty
1,300+ locations
CVS Pharmacy
9,600+ locations(winner)
- Beauty Brand Selection
Ulta Beauty
500+ brands(winner)
CVS Pharmacy
150+ brands
- Beauty Product SKUs
Ulta Beauty
25,000+ products(winner)
CVS Pharmacy
2,000 products
- Loyalty Program Reward Rate
Ulta Beauty
1.25% Ulta Rewards (all purchases)
CVS Pharmacy
2% ExtraBucks (pharmacy items only)
- Primary Business Focus
Ulta Beauty
Beauty only(winner)
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy + convenience + beauty
- In-Store Services
Ulta Beauty
Beauty consultations, makeovers, salon services(winner)
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy services, minute clinics
- Exclusive Brands (Premium)
Ulta Beauty
MAC, Too Faced, Urban Decay, Benefit(winner)
CVS Pharmacy
Limited exclusive partnerships
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Ulta Beauty | CVS Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Total US Store Locations(stores) | 1,400 stores | — |
| Beauty Product Selection(products) | 25,000+ products | — |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ brands | — |
| Loyalty Program Members(members) | 40 million (Ultamate) | — |
| Average Beauty Product Markup(%) | 12-15% higher than Target | — |
| Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 or more | $35 or more |
| Average Beauty Product Price Point(USD) | $65-85 average transaction | — |
| In-Store Professional Services(service types) | Hair salon, makeup counter, brow bar, lash services | — |
| In-Store Beauty Services(null) | Makeovers, consultations, salon (400+ locations) | Pharmacy services, minute clinics |
| In-Store Makeup Consultation Services(locations offering) | 800+ locations(winner) | 0 dedicated services |
| Pharmacy Services Available(yes/no) | No | Yes (full pharmacy + vaccinations) |
| Same-Day Pickup Speed(hours) | 2 hours (most locations) | — |
| Annual Revenue (2023)(USD billion) | $10.2 billion | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $10.2B | $40.3B(winner) |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 1,300+ | 9,600+(winner) |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+(winner) | 150+ |
| Beauty Product SKUs(products) | 25,000+(winner) | 2,000 |
| Brand Partnerships in Beauty(brands) | 500+ | — |
| Luxury/Prestige Beauty Brand Access(availability) | Full access (Chanel, Dior, Estée Lauder, MAC, Urban Decay) | — |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(%) | 1.25% all purchases | 2% pharmacy only(winner) |
| Loyalty Rewards on Beauty Purchases(points per dollar) | 1.25X points multiplier | — |
| Premium Brand Exclusivity(brands) | 80+ premium/luxury brands(winner) | 5+ premium brands |
| Average Distance to Store(miles) | 8.2 miles (avg urban) | 1.5 miles (avg urban)(winner) |
| Total Store Locations(locations) | 1,400+ | 9,600+(winner) |
| Beauty Brand Variety(brands) | 500+(winner) | 150-200 |
| Luxury Brand Availability(brands) | 100+ (MAC, Dyson, Charlotte Tilbury, etc.)(winner) | 5-10 |
| Ultamate/ExtraCare Rewards Rate(percent cashback) | 1.25% standard, 3.5% on prestige | 2-4% on select categories(winner) |
| Online-to-Store Pickup Speed(hours) | Same-day in select areas | Same-day in select areas |
| Number of US Physical Locations(stores) | 1,400+ | — |
| In-Store Beauty Expert Services(store coverage) | 80% of stores have trained beauty consultants | — |
| 2024 Total Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $13.1B | — |
| Same-Day Fulfillment Services(service types) | Buy online, pickup in 2 hours at select stores | — |
Ulta BeautyCVS PharmacyPros & Cons
10 pros·7 cons across both
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- 500+ beauty brands including luxury (MAC, Urban Decay, Too Faced, Benefit)
- 25,000+ product SKUs with deep category selection
- In-store beauty services (makeovers, consultations, salon services at 400+ locations)
- Ulta Rewards loyalty program with 1.25% points on all purchases
- Expert beauty consultants and trained staff in every location
Cons
- Fewer locations (1,300 stores) means lower geographic convenience
- Higher prices on premium brands compared to discounters like TJ Maxx or Marshall's
- Smaller pharmacy/healthcare services offering
CVS Pharmacy
Pros
- 9,600+ locations provide exceptional convenience and accessibility
- One-stop shopping combining pharmacy, health services, and beauty
- ExtraBucks rewards program with 2% on pharmacy purchases
- Minute Clinics available in 1,100+ locations for quick healthcare
- Competitive pricing on drugstore beauty brands (CoverGirl, Revlon, Maybelline)
Cons
- Limited beauty brand selection (150+ brands vs Ulta's 500+)
- Only 2,000 beauty SKUs versus Ulta's 25,000 products
- No in-store beauty consultations or professional makeup services
- Minimal premium/luxury beauty brand availability
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
CVS typically offers better prices on drugstore beauty brands (Maybelline, Revlon, CoverGirl) due to lower overhead. Ulta often has better prices on mid-range brands and frequently runs sales events. For premium brands, prices are comparable, but Ulta offers more exclusive access. Both chains price-match major competitors.
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