Beauty Retail: Sephora, Ulta, Olive Young, Douglas — 2026-10-24
Ulta Beauty reported a 48% surge in website traffic amid intense competition, while LVMH revealed steady Q3 beauty sales driven by Sephora's retail growth. In Korea, duty-free shops posted profits despite lagging sales, and Olive Young expanded its physical footprint in Hongdae to capitalize on tourist spending.
Beauty Retail: Sephora, Ulta, Olive Young, Douglas — 2026-10-24
Top developments
Ulta Beauty sees 48% traffic surge
Ulta Beauty’s website traffic increased by 48% recently, a move attributed to shoppers flocking to the retailer online amidst a competitive landscape. Bank of America analysts note that this digital engagement spike suggests Ulta is successfully retaining its customer base despite pressure from other prestige and mass retailers.
LVMH Q3 beauty sales hold steady
LVMH’s Selective Retailing division, which includes Sephora, posted sales of €12.48 billion for the first nine months of 2026. While this represents a 1% decline on a reported basis compared to the previous year, Sephora specifically drove retail growth within the division, helping to stabilize overall beauty sales during the third quarter.
Korea duty-free profits rise despite sales lag
Korean duty-free shops reported profits as tourist numbers recovered, but sales have not rebounded at the same pace. The divergence is attributed to smaller basket sizes per buyer and aggressive cost-cutting measures by retailers, indicating that while foot traffic is returning, consumer spending behavior remains cautious.
L'Oréal Q3 driven by fragrance and hair
L'Oréal reported that its third-quarter performance was stronger than analyst expectations, driven primarily by strong demand for fine fragrances and hair care products. This segment growth highlights the continued resilience of premium beauty categories even as mass-market trends fluctuate.
Local view
Korea: Olive Young expands in Hongdae CJ Olive Young is aggressively expanding its presence in the Hongdae district of Seoul, planning to open 10 new stores by the end of the year. This move positions Hongdae as the retailer's largest cluster of stores, surpassing Myeongdong, as the brand capitalizes on the influx of foreign tourists seeking K-beauty and K-food products.
Germany: Douglas boosts B2B gift cards Douglas is expanding its B2B gift card business with a new online shop designed to connect physical stores, the online platform, and its app. This strategy aims to streamline corporate gifting and enhance omnichannel integration for its German and European customer base.
Context & numbers
- LVMH Selective Retailing Sales: €12.48 billion for the first nine months of 2026.
- Ulta Website Traffic: +48% recent surge.
- Olive Young Hongdae Expansion: 10 new stores planned by year-end.
On the radar
- Shinsegae Duty-Free Sales: The "Shin Duty Sale" concluded with a 46% boost in beauty sales and a 20% increase in average daily online mall sales during the event period.
- Rossmann New Brand: German drugstore Rossmann is attracting shoppers with a new cosmetics brand that offers affordable alternatives to luxury cult products.
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