Could Ulta Soon run Sephora out of Business?

The international leader in cosmetics “Sephora” could soon find pretty strong competition in another up and coming leader in beauty Ulta

For decades shoppers have flocked to Sephora in search of cosmetics which simply can’t be found anywhere else. However, the only drawbacks which inevitably result from these excursions into beauty wonderland are that there is the strong possibility that a bag or two may end up costing a small fortune.

As a result, the chances of most locations developing regular customers are slim to none. Though, it would be unfair to say that Sephora is not without their deals.  Nevertheless, coming across those require strategic planning and tend to change as different promos get circulated.

Everyone loves a one-stop shop

It’s no secret that the root of Sephora’s slump in sales is due to the present state of the economy. The biggest challenge during these times when stretching a dollar is that certain items which used to be the norm would now be considered a luxury. All of a sudden, drugstore products don’t seem at all that bad.

Suddenly, certain cosmetics which would normally blend into the background take on the appearance of what could best be described as an “ugly duckling analogue.” Nevertheless, one can’t help but wish these drugstore products were sold in the same place as Sephora’s high-end products.

This need for a one-stop shop is hardly unique to cosmetics. On the contrary, our fast-paced lifestyles have driven the need to get everything in one place. That’s where the treasure trove which is Ulta comes in.

It’s style more of us can afford

To most people who chose to invest in the latest cosmetics and toiletries a day devoted to shopping isn’t just about picking up much-needed products and leaving. These shopping trips are usually composed of much more than just that, aka rest, relaxation, and enjoying the day with an ounce of style.

Affordable side by side with style what more could anyone ask for?

That question pretty much sums up the appeal of Ulta to those shoppers who are searching for a way to live in style on a budget. After all these hard times are much easier to take when one high-end product can still be purchased after saving a lot of money on products which tend to take a more economical viewpoint.

Sad to say the experience could best be described as disappointing

After hearing so many great things about Ulta and viewing their promos and ads. It was impossible to deny that they do in fact that they carry a lot of the products which Sephora is famous for. Which is probably why I had such great hopes as I prepared to take a look around in one of their actual stores.

Being a regular Sephora customer, I was on the hunt for speciality products such as HUM nutritional supplements. Keeping an open mind and trying not to approach the situation too critically, I was half expecting a wide selection of HUM products to be available at Ulta as well, or at the very a couple of their more popular products.  

Nevertheless, after searching up and down Ulta’s shelves the sense of defeat started to sink heavily into my stomach. It was quite obvious that HUM was nowhere in sight. My suspicions were further confirmed after inquiring with one of the sales representatives who were not that easy to come by.

If sub-par is good enough then I suppose Ulta may be alright

Aside from carrying high quality hard to find products one of the main things that set Sephora apart is their personalized customer service. This is another area of expertise Ulta needs some serious work on. After hearing about all the hype surrounding Ulta I was under the impression that I would be greeted right away and offered assistance. Whether I needed it or not it’s the thought that counts.

However, they wouldn’t be the case since it took 20min to actually speak to an associate. Even then the quality of service seemed to closely resemble what one would expect to receive from Walmart or Target. In short, it was nothing to rave about.

Times are changing perhaps Sephora will too

After weighing all the factors perhaps coming to the conclusion that Ulta would leave Sephora in its dust may be a bit overreaching. Since it’s no secret that as times change finances tend to shrink as well. Perhaps as customer bases tend to shift, we could indeed see an increase in Sephora’s sales and promotions.

I can only hope that this need to stay afloat when so many businesses are forced to go under will not cause Sephora to sacrifice quality in order to save money. Since that dedication to selling hard to find high-quality products is what has continued to set them apart from the rest.

 

Mary Thompson