Ulta launches curbside pick-up

By

Robin Driver

Published
May 2, 2020

As companies experiment with new services in order to continue operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, cosmetics retailer Ulta Beauty, Inc. announced on Thursday that it is introducing curbside pick-up at select stores around the U.S.
 

The Bolingbrook, Illinois-based company is introducing the new service at more than 350 locations, selected in line “with an extensive evaluation of local market conditions, including guidance from local and state authorities.” All orders fulfilled through the new service will be handled following CDC guidelines.
 
Curbside pick-up is an extension of the retailer’s existing buy-online-pick-up-in-store service, a fact which Ulta hopes will mean that customers should find it relatively easy to take advantage of the new collection option.  

The company hopes to expand the service to other stores over the coming weeks, implementing robust health and safety protocols in all participating locations.
 
While the retailer’s stores remain temporarily closed, consumers can still use the Ulta app and e-commerce platform to order beauty products.
 
Ulta hopes to reopen its stores as soon as it is safely possible to do so and clarified that it is likely that locations in certain markets and states will open before others.
 
The company closed its stores on March 19 and also suspended its buy-online-pick-up-in-store service at this time. The retailer has since furloughed a number of its store and salon associates.
 
However, staff working to fulfill e-commerce orders in Ulta distribution centers are receiving a $2-per-hour wage premium.