Ulta Beauty vs Target 2026: Store Selection & Pricing
Ulta Beauty is a specialized beauty retailer with 1,400+ stores offering 25,000+ beauty products and a loyalty program with 40M+ members, while Target is a general merchandise retailer with 1,900+ stores that carries a smaller beauty selection alongside clothing, home goods, and groceries. Ulta dominates in beauty selection and expertise; Target wins on convenience and price for non-beauty items.
Ulta Beauty
Specialty beauty retailer with 1,400+ US stores featuring 500+ brands and expert consultants
Beauty enthusiasts, makeup artists, skincare-focused shoppers, and those seeking professional styling services
Target
General merchandise retailer with 1,950+ US stores offering beauty products alongside apparel, home goods, and groceries
Shoppers seeking budget-friendly beauty products, those who prefer one-stop shopping, families combining grocery and beauty needs
Quick Answer
AI SummaryUlta Beauty is a specialized beauty retailer with 1,400+ stores offering 25,000+ beauty products and a loyalty program with 40M+ members, while Target is a general merchandise retailer with 1,900+ stores that carries a smaller beauty selection alongside clothing, home goods, and groceries. Ulta dominates in beauty selection and expertise; Target wins on convenience and price for non-beauty items.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Ulta Beauty if you prioritize beauty product selection, expert advice, salon services, and loyalty rewards specifically tied to cosmetics and skincare purchases. Choose Target if you want one-stop shopping for beauty items alongside groceries, clothing, and household goods at lower prices, or if proximity to stores and general retail convenience matter more than beauty specialization.
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Choose Ulta Beauty if
Beauty enthusiasts, makeup artists, skincare-focused shoppers, and those seeking professional styling services
Choose Target if
Best pickShoppers seeking budget-friendly beauty products, those who prefer one-stop shopping, families combining grocery and beauty needs
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Beauty Product Selection:✓ Ulta Beauty wins(25,000+ products across 500+ brands vs 2,000-3,000 products across 50-75 brands)
- Store Count (US):✓ Target wins(1,900 stores vs 1,400 stores)
- Loyalty Program Members:40 million (Ultamate Rewards) vs 50+ million (RedCard holders)
Key Facts & Figures
59 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Ulta Beauty | Target | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total US Store Locations(stores) | 1,400 stores | 1,900 stores | |
| Beauty Product Selection(products) | 25,000+ products | 2,500 products | |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ brands | 75 brands | |
| Loyalty Program Members(members) | 40 million (Ultamate) | 50+ million (RedCard) | |
| Average Beauty Product Markup(%) | 12-15% higher than Target | Baseline | |
| Same-Day Pickup Speed(hours) | 2 hours (most locations) | 2 hours (most locations) | |
| Annual Revenue (2023)(USD billion) | $10.2 billion | $108 billion | |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 1,300+ | — | — |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ | — | — |
| Beauty Product SKUs(products) | 25,000+ | — | — |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(%) | 1.25% all purchases | — | — |
| Premium Brand Exclusivity(brands) | 80+ premium/luxury brands | — | — |
| Average Distance to Store(miles) | 8.2 miles (avg urban) | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $10.2B | — | — |
| Total Store Locations(locations) | 1,400+ | — | — |
| Beauty Brand Variety(brands) | 500+ | — | — |
| Luxury Brand Availability(brands) | 100+ (MAC, Dyson, Charlotte Tilbury, etc.) | — | — |
| Ultamate/ExtraCare Rewards Rate(percent cashback) | 1.25% standard, 3.5% on prestige | — | — |
| In-Store Makeup Consultation Services(locations offering) | 800+ locations | — | — |
| Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 or more | — | — |
| Online-to-Store Pickup Speed(hours) | Same-day in select areas | — | — |
| Number of US Physical Locations(stores) | 1,400+ | 1,950+ | |
| Brand Partnerships in Beauty(brands) | 500+ | 150-200 | |
| Average Beauty Product Price Point(USD) | $65-85 average transaction | $25-40 average transaction | |
| Loyalty Rewards on Beauty Purchases(points per dollar) | 1.25X points multiplier | 1% cash back (Red Card) | |
| 2024 Total Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $13.1B | $108B | |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $110 Billion | $110 Billion | |
| US Stores | ~1,950 | ~1,950 | |
| Average Price Premium vs Market Baseline(%) | 0% | 0% | |
| Organic Product Coverage(%) | 18% | 18% | |
| US Physical Store Locations(stores) | 1,950 | 1,950 | |
| Prime Member Discount on Select Items(%) | 0% | 0% | |
| RedCard/Loyalty Discount Rate(%) | 5% | 5% | |
| Product Categories Available(count) | 12+ (groceries, apparel, home, electronics, beauty, toys, etc.) | 12+ (groceries, apparel, home, electronics, beauty, toys, etc.) | |
| Average Customer Satisfaction Rating(out of 5) | 3.8 | 3.8 | |
| Year Acquired by Parent Company(year) | Publicly traded (founded 1962) | Publicly traded (founded 1962) | |
| Total Product Selection(SKUs) | ~400,000 | ~400,000 | |
| Physical Store Locations(stores) | 1,950+ | 1,950+ | |
| Furniture Customization Variations Per Item(options) | 2-4 | 2-4 | |
| Free Shipping Minimum(USD) | $35 (RedCard) / $75 (standard) | $35 (RedCard) / $75 (standard) | |
| Standard Delivery Time(days) | 1-2 days (in-store pickup) or 2-3 days (delivery) | 1-2 days (in-store pickup) or 2-3 days (delivery) | |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(zip codes) | 2,000+ | 2,000+ | |
| Standard Return Window(days) | 30-120 days (varies by category) | 30-120 days (varies by category) | |
| Home Furnishings SKU Count(items) | ~15,000 | ~15,000 | |
| Average Sofa Price(USD) | $399-599 | $399-599 | |
| Furniture Assembly Time (Average)(minutes) | 15-30 minutes | 15-30 minutes | |
| Number of Stores (US)(locations) | 1,948 locations | 1,948 locations | |
| Grocery & Food Items Available(SKUs) | 3,500 items | 3,500 items | |
| Furniture Category Options(categories) | 15 categories | 15 categories | |
| Same-Day Delivery Coverage(% of US population) | 78% | 78% | |
| Average Store Size(square feet) | 130,000 sq ft | 130,000 sq ft | |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 120 days (REDcard members) | 120 days (REDcard members) | |
| Store Locations (US)(stores) | 1,948 | 1,948 | |
| Electronics SKU Selection Per Store(average products) | 500 | 500 | |
| Return Window(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Loyalty Program Discount(percent off) | 5% with RedCard | 5% with RedCard | |
| Same-Day Pickup Availability(hours for pickup) | Same-day (varies by location) | Same-day (varies by location) | |
| Product Categories Offered(major categories) | Apparel, home, grocery, beauty, electronics | Apparel, home, grocery, beauty, electronics | |
| Average Electronics Price Competitiveness(price index) | 97 (5% lower with RedCard) | 97 (5% lower with RedCard) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 25,000+ products across 500+ brands(winner)Beauty Product Selection2,000-3,000 products across 50-75 brands
- 1,400 storesStore Count (US)1,900 stores(winner)
- 40 million (Ultamate Rewards)Loyalty Program Members50+ million (RedCard holders)
- Hair salons, makeup counters, brow bars in most locations(winner)In-Store Beauty ServicesLimited optical services, no beauty counters
- $45-60 (beauty-focused)Average Transaction Basket Size$35-50 (mixed categories)
- Mid-to-premium (brands from drugstore to luxury)Price PositioningValue-focused with occasional premium brands(winner)
- Buy Online Pickup In Store (BOPIS), same-day services(winner)Online-to-Offline IntegrationBOPIS available, limited beauty-specific services
- Beauty Product Selection
Ulta Beauty
25,000+ products across 500+ brands(winner)
Target
2,000-3,000 products across 50-75 brands
- Store Count (US)
Ulta Beauty
1,400 stores
Target
1,900 stores(winner)
- Loyalty Program Members
Ulta Beauty
40 million (Ultamate Rewards)
Target
50+ million (RedCard holders)
- In-Store Beauty Services
Ulta Beauty
Hair salons, makeup counters, brow bars in most locations(winner)
Target
Limited optical services, no beauty counters
- Average Transaction Basket Size
Ulta Beauty
$45-60 (beauty-focused)
Target
$35-50 (mixed categories)
- Price Positioning
Ulta Beauty
Mid-to-premium (brands from drugstore to luxury)
Target
Value-focused with occasional premium brands(winner)
- Online-to-Offline Integration
Ulta Beauty
Buy Online Pickup In Store (BOPIS), same-day services(winner)
Target
BOPIS available, limited beauty-specific services
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Ulta Beauty | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Total US Store Locations(stores) | 1,400 stores | 1,900 stores(winner) |
| Beauty Product Selection(products) | 25,000+ products(winner) | 2,500 products |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ brands(winner) | 75 brands |
| Loyalty Program Members(members) | 40 million (Ultamate) | 50+ million (RedCard)(winner) |
| Average Beauty Product Markup(%) | 12-15% higher than Target | Baseline(winner) |
| Average Beauty Product Price Point(USD) | $65-85 average transaction | $25-40 average transaction(winner) |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $99 per year | — |
| Average Price Premium vs Market Baseline(%) | 0% | — |
| Average Sofa Price(USD) | $399-599 | — |
Show 2 more attributesLoyalty Program Discount(percent off) 5% with RedCard — Average Electronics Price Competitiveness(price index) 97 (5% lower with RedCard) — | ||
| In-Store Professional Services(service types) | Hair salon, makeup counter, brow bar, lash services(winner) | Optical services only |
| In-Store Beauty Services(null) | Makeovers, consultations, salon (400+ locations) | — |
| In-Store Makeup Consultation Services(locations offering) | 800+ locations | — |
| Pharmacy Services Available(yes/no) | No | — |
| In-Store Tech Support Service(text) | None (general customer service only) | — |
| Same-Day Pickup Speed(hours) | 2 hours (most locations) | 2 hours (most locations) |
| Same-Day Pickup Availability(hours for pickup) | Same-day (varies by location) | — |
| Annual Revenue (2023)(USD billion) | $10.2 billion | $108 billion(winner) |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $10.2B | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $110 Billion | — |
| Annual Revenue(billions USD) | $110+ billion | — |
| Market Capitalization(trillions USD) | $65 billion | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 1,300+ | — |
| Physical Store Locations(count) | 1,948 Target stores | — |
| Physical Store Locations(stores) | 1,950+ | — |
| Number of Stores (US)(locations) | 1,948 locations | — |
| Beauty Brands Carried(brands) | 500+ | — |
| Beauty Product SKUs(products) | 25,000+ | — |
| Brand Partnerships in Beauty(brands) | 500+(winner) | 150-200 |
| Luxury/Prestige Beauty Brand Access(availability) | Full access (Chanel, Dior, Estée Lauder, MAC, Urban Decay) | Limited access (mostly drugstore brands like Maybelline, Neutrogena) |
| Grocery & Food Items Available(SKUs) | 3,500 items | — |
Show 2 more attributesFurniture Category Options(categories) 15 categories — Electronics SKU Selection Per Store(average products) 500 — | ||
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(%) | 1.25% all purchases | — |
| Loyalty Rewards on Beauty Purchases(points per dollar) | 1.25X points multiplier(winner) | 1% cash back (Red Card) |
| Premium Brand Exclusivity(brands) | 80+ premium/luxury brands | — |
| Average Distance to Store(miles) | 8.2 miles (avg urban) | — |
| US Physical Store Locations(stores) | 1,950 | — |
| Total Store Locations(locations) | 1,400+ | — |
| Beauty Brand Variety(brands) | 500+ | — |
| Luxury Brand Availability(brands) | 100+ (MAC, Dyson, Charlotte Tilbury, etc.) | — |
| Product Categories(count) | 12+ major categories with 40M+ items | — |
| Product Categories Available(count) | 12+ (groceries, apparel, home, electronics, beauty, toys, etc.) | — |
| Total Product Selection(SKUs) | ~400,000 | — |
Show 2 more attributesFurniture Customization Variations Per Item(options) 2-4 — Home Furnishings SKU Count(items) ~15,000 — | ||
| Ultamate/ExtraCare Rewards Rate(percent cashback) | 1.25% standard, 3.5% on prestige | — |
| Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 or more | — |
| Online-to-Store Pickup Speed(hours) | Same-day in select areas | — |
| Number of US Physical Locations(stores) | 1,400+ | 1,950+(winner) |
| In-Store Beauty Expert Services(store coverage) | 80% of stores have trained beauty consultants(winner) | Minimal services at select urban locations only |
| Average Delivery Speed(days) | Same-day pickup or 1-2 days | — |
| Return Window(days) | 60-90 days (Circle members get 90) | — |
| Standard Return Window(days) | 30-120 days (varies by category) | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 120 days (REDcard members) | — |
| 2024 Total Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $13.1B | $108B(winner) |
| Same-Day Fulfillment Services(service types) | Buy online, pickup in 2 hours at select stores | Buy online, pickup (2 hours), drive-up, same-day delivery |
| US Stores | ~1,950 | — |
| Prime/Membership Members(millions) | 60+ million Circle members (estimated) | — |
| Organic Product Coverage(%) | 18% | — |
| Prime Member Discount on Select Items(%) | 0% | — |
| RedCard/Loyalty Discount Rate(%) | 5% | — |
| Average Customer Satisfaction Rating(out of 5) | 3.8 | — |
| Year Acquired by Parent Company(year) | Publicly traded (founded 1962) | — |
| Free Shipping Minimum(USD) | $35 (RedCard) / $75 (standard) | — |
| Standard Delivery Time(days) | 1-2 days (in-store pickup) or 2-3 days (delivery) | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(zip codes) | 2,000+ | — |
| Furniture Assembly Time (Average)(minutes) | 15-30 minutes | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Coverage(% of US population) | 78% | — |
| Average Store Size(square feet) | 130,000 sq ft | — |
| Store Locations (US)(stores) | 1,948 | — |
| Return Window(days) | 30 days | — |
| Product Categories Offered(major categories) | Apparel, home, grocery, beauty, electronics | — |
Show 2 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- 25,000+ beauty products from 500+ brands including prestige and drugstore lines
- 40 million Ultamate Rewards members with 1.25x points multiplier on prestige brands
- In-store services: hair salons, makeup counters, eyebrow bars, lash extensions
- Expert staff trained in beauty consultation and product recommendations
- Curbside pickup available for online orders within 2 hours at most locations
Cons
- Prices 10-15% higher than Target on comparable products due to specialization
- Limited non-beauty merchandise restricts cross-category shopping convenience
Target
Pros
- 1,900 stores provide greater geographic accessibility than Ulta's 1,400
- One-stop shopping for beauty, groceries, clothing, and home goods in single trip
- RedCard 5% discount applies across all categories including beauty
- Competitive pricing: 10-15% lower on comparable beauty products vs Ulta
- Same-day services: drive-up, order pickup, and delivery on most items within 2 hours
Cons
- Beauty selection limited to 2,000-3,000 products with only 50-75 brands (vs Ulta's 500+)
- No professional beauty services or expert consultation staff on duty
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
No. Ulta carries 500+ beauty brands including prestige lines like MAC, Urban Decay, Fenty Beauty, and Drunk Elephant, while Target stocks only 50-75 brands, primarily drugstore and exclusive labels like Cat Eye Hero and Good & Gather. For specialty and luxury beauty brands, Ulta has significantly broader selection.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
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