If you were looking forward to Ulta Beauty’s expansion into Canada, then you’ll have to play the waiting game a little longer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the beauty retailer has put its first international move on hold.
According to WWD, Ulta Beauty’s Canadian expansion has been put on the back burner until mid-2021.
“We anticipate COVID-19 will influence longer-term market shifts and create new real estate opportunities, supporting our ambition to ultimately operate between 1,500 and 1,700 Ulta Beauty stores in the U.S.,” a rep from Ulta said in a statement. “To do so, we are proactively optimizing our real estate portfolio and have made strategic decisions to temporarily reduce new store openings and close a limited number of stores this year.
Retail-Insider reported in mid-March that Ulta Beauty was planning to expand with 75 more stores this year with several of those stores being located in Canada. However, now the beauty retailer will open just 30 all located in the U.S and as of May 2020, the chain operates 1,264 retail stores across 50 states.
Up until recently, Canadians were able to shop Ulta.com and opt for shipping to Canada but a message on the website says differently.
“We can’t wait to bring a new and improved online experience to Canada next year! Part of that effort means we need to pause shipping on all online orders to our Canadian guests. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause right now,” says the brand.
If you’re wondering why Canadian beauty junkies are so excited about Ulta coming into Canada, it’s because of the exclusive brands that folks can shop. Ulta is the exclusive retailer of beauty brands like Kylie Cosmetics, KKW Beauty, and Colour Pop.
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International brands and retailers are shuttering shops in Canada at an alarming rate, but it’s not all doom and gloom for the retail landscape. Despite the recent store closures, there are still plenty of brands and retailers eyeing Canadian cities for exciting openings.
While this year’s crop of retailers looking to make their mark on Canadian soil is less fruitful than years past, we still have a lot to look forward to!
Here are four exciting brands opening Canadian stores in 2020:
Ulta
Back in the spring of 2019, The Globe And Mail reported that the American beauty chain, Ulta, had plans to expand into Canada. While the Illinois-based retailer hasn’t announced an exact opening date, sources noted that Ulta had enlisted in the help of a real estate expert to scout out different locations. It’s rumoured that Canada’s first Ulta will open in late 2020 or early 2021. Out of all the brands opening Canadian stores in 2020, this might be the one we’re most excited about!
BiWay
The once-popular bargain retailer made waves last year when it announced a comeback. BiWay is slated to reopen August 2020 on Orfus Road, a popular destination for discount stores just south of Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Shoppers can expect plenty of under $10 bargains on clothing, home goods, food, beauty, and more.
Niketown
While Canada already has a slew of Nike stores, Toronto will be getting a Niketown at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the fall of 2020. The concept is already present in major cities globally, but the concept was scaled back years ago. Now the concept will relaunch in Toronto. Sources say the Niketown will span over two floors and 32,000-square-feet, and will take over the Zara Home, Le Chateau, and former Home Outfitters store at the north Toronto mall around November.
Paul
A little piece of Northern France is headed to Canada this year. Paul, a famous French bakery that started in 1889, is opening its first Canadian location in Vancouver. The bakery is known for its sweet and savoury baked goods, breads, and sandwiches, as well as French fare such as quiche, salads, and salads, and will open on Robson Street.
We’ll update this article as more brands opening Canadian stores in 2020 are announced. Stay tuned!
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If you’re in the mood for a road trip, why not do a little cross-border shopping? With so many American retailers opening locations here in Canada, it can seem pointless to drive two hours just to spend your hard earned cash. However, there are still some stores that us Canadians don’t have the luxury to shop when at home.
Here are 6 American stores worth crossing the border for!
Trader Joe’s
In case you’ve been living under a Canadian rock, allow me to introduce you to Trader Joe’s. This grocery chain is known for its own delicious brand of foods and not only that, but the prices are right, too. Whether you’re looking for actually really good frozen foods, seasonings, organic produce, addictive snacks, and more, TJ’s has you covered.
Target
Now I know that Target used to have a home here in Canada, but let’s be real: we all miss it. From its stylish yet affordable clothes and shoes, to activewear and jewellery, Target had it all. Not to mention you could also do your grocery shopping, stock up on home goods, and electronics.
Ulta
Even though there are rumours swirling that beauty superstore Ulta will be coming to Canada, I still look forward to shopping when I’m in the U.S. Not only can you find more obscure drugstore brands and the brands we all know and love, but it’s the only bricks and mortar store where you can find Kylie Cosmetics.
Sur La Table
Attention all foodies and kitchenware addicts. Sur La Table needs to be on your radar if you have a kitchen, and love shopping for it. While you can shop online if you’re shipping within the United States, there are some actual stores that aren’t too far of a drive away. It’s here that you’ll be able to find everything and anything you could ever want for your kitchen including dinnerware, cutlery, glassware, bakeware, and more.
Primark
A U.K. staple, Primark opened its doors in the U.S. a few years back and ever since, us Canadians have been mighty jealous. The store is known for it’s wicked affordable apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, jewellery, and even skincare. Right now the closest stores are in New York and Boston, but here’s hoping the chain will cross the border into Canada soon!
Neiman Marcus
While we aren’t without our fair share of luxury retailers and department stores here in Canada, one American store we’re missing is Neiman Marcus. Shop all the latest from your fave designers including shoes, apparel, beauty, accessories, and more. Not down to pay designer prices? Neiman Marcus also has a great selection from contemporary brands like FRAME, Vince, Alice + Olivia, and Jonathan Simkhai to name a few.
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Even though National Lipstick Day has passed, it’s time to celebrate all over again because famed cosmetics retailer, Ulta is having a major BOGO lip product sale.
That’s right, you read correct, you can snag yourself free lip products from brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Too Faced, Becca, Beauty by POPSUGAR, and many more.
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All you have to do is go to the Ulta website, click on the BOGO sale banner, and add two lip products to your cart.
That’s it — the sale will automatically be added to your purchase so you don’t even need a promo code. We suggest picking out your fave lippies ASAP because we suspect that the good ones will go fast.
Wondering what’s in our cart? Keep reading to check out what’s available!
Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Lipstick, $27
Instagram/@misslipstickglam
This liquid lipstick by Too Faced is a favourite among editors and beauty bloggers for good reason: it actually stays in place all day. Between coffees, lunches, and after dinner drinks, this lippie won’t budge. Available in an array of shades, you can have one for every outfit or mood when you get it through this BOGO sale!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss, $21
Instagram/@jasmijniris
While liquid lipsticks have been all the rage, let’s not forget the beloved lip gloss that adds subtle shine and gleam to any beauty look. These lip glosses by Anastasia Beverly Hills are a cult favourite because of its smooth and creamy formula that’s not sticky or awkwardly thick.
Becca Ultimate Lipstick Love, $31
Instagram/@beccacosmetics
If you thought your days of loving regular old lipsticks were over, then you need to acquaint yourself with Becca’s Ultimate Lipstick Love. Available in a whopping 30 shades, these lippies are infused with hydrating avocado and olive oil so a smooth application is promised everytime. Not only that, but the colour wears for over 8 hours, too!
Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme, $38
Instagram/@aysel_beauty_world_1
If you’re looking to plump up your kisser without investing in fillers, then you need to get your hands on the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme. Not only does this stuff seriously work, but it’s a fraction of what actual lip injections would cost. Plus, if you purchase during the BOGO sale, you’ll be getting it for free!
Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Cosmic Crystal Liquid Lip, $31
Instagram/@beautybypopsugar
If you’re heading to any music festivals this season and want a fierce lip look, then you need to snatch up this Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Cosmic Crystal Liquid Lip. This cruelty-free and vegan product is a lip topper that goes on top of any lipstick to reflect and amplify surrounding light. It’s basically a kaleidoscope for your lips, how cool is that?
Tarte Double Duty Beauty The Lip Sculptor Double Ended Lipstick & Gloss, $31
Instagram/@everythingmakoli
If space is tight in your purse, then you’ll want to use Tarte’s Double Ended Lipstick & Gloss. At one end you’ll find comes the full coverage, satin lipstick and at the other end you’ll find a highly pigmented lip gloss that’s formulated with moisturizing coconut oil. This product is a godsend for any on-the-go babe who only has room for one product in their tiny yet trendy purse!
Featured Image: Instagram/@ultabeauty
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While Canadians have seen a number of store closings over the past couple of years, it’s not all doom and gloom.
International brands still have ambitious plans to cross the border. Just last year, retailers like Bottega Veneta, Morphe, Laline, and Nordstrom Rack opened Canadian locations, and this year Chick-Fil-A, L.L. Bean, Eataly, and more are slated to open.
And according to The Globe And Mail, another big American brand is allegedly planning on expanding into Canada.
Ulta Beauty is expected to open its first Canadian stores in late 2020 or early 2021.
This is huge news for beauty lovers across the country. The Illinois-based beauty brand is similar to Sephora, but has larger stores and a wider range of prices, services, and products. Ulta carries everything from price-friendly favourites like Maybelline and Revolution Beauty, to higher end exclusives like Tarte Shape Tape and Kylie Cosmetics.
According to sources close to The Globe And Mail, Ulta has enlisted in the help of Sam Winberg, a Canadian retail real estate expert of brokerage Retail CND, to feel out potential locations. Winberg is allegedly in talks with a number of big landlords, and old Sears’ storefronts could be the start of the beauty retailer’s expansion.
Instagram/@g_sqrd
Ulta expanded its e-commerce experience to Canadians in 2017.
For years, Ulta was a must-visit for Canadians traveling through the states. But in April 2017, the retailers expanded its shipping to Canadians, allowing all beauty lovers to shop the online.
As of right now, there are no known Canadian locations for Ulta Beauty yet, but we’ll be sure to update you as news progresses.
Instagram/@jce.makeup
The beauty brand could be just what malls need to reenergize.
“Ulta has some significant advantages – it is an energetic, aggressive competitor with a lot to offer customers,” Pamela Danziger, president of retail consultancy Unity Marketing in Stevens, Pa., told The Globe And Mail. “It creates an energy in the store which is what malls need desperately today to survive.”
In order for a mall to be successful, it needs to offer more than just shopping. More and more shopping centres are moving towards retail-tainment — evolving into destinations where shoppers can spend their entire day. Case in point: Square One Shopping Centre. More than just a destination to explore retailers, additions like The Food District and The Rec Room drive foot traffic and give visitors a full experience, breathing new life into the mall.
Featured image: Yelp
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Every September for the last 20 years, Fortune publishes its Most Powerful Women list. This year, the ranking is comprised of 26 CEOs controlling approximately $1.1 trillion in market capital, seven newcomers, one returnee and nine women working in the tech industry.
However, what really caught readers attention was the amount of women on the list who are leading retail companies and how high those women listed. Among the women were CVS Health Executive Vice President and President of CVS Pharmacy Helena Foulkes (No. 12), Apple SVP of Retail Angela Ahrendts (No. 13) and Home Depot’s EVP of U.S. Stores Ann Marie Campbell (No. 18). The magazine also highlighted a few retail newcomers to its list including Staples CEO Shira Goodman, Ulta Beauty CEO Mary Dillon and Mattel CEO Margo Georgiadis.
This isn’t necessarily surprising news. After all, women are the ones that are crucial to the retail industry, making up the majority of both its workforce and its customer base. But while women make up 60 per cent of the retail industry’s workforce, they only make up 10 per cent of its executive boards.
That is changing though, albeit at a glacial pace.
Angela Ahrendts, SVP of Retail at Apple (Image: Twitter/@angelaahrendts)
The retail industry isn’t different from any other industry in realizing the need for gender and racial diversity at the top levels of leadership. Having women in leadership positions creates a diverse balance that in turn offers new perspectives on challenges and opportunities. Without it, companies aren’t realizing the potential of the evolution that needs to take place.
But what is nice to see is that the women in retail appearing on Fortune’s list lead a diverse set of retailers. Foulkes for example has an extensive background in retail and healthcare marketing and strategy. In her role, Foulkes has the massive task of maintaining CVS’s retail sales growth as it transitions into becoming an all-around healthcare company. Ahrendts is spearheading Apple’s plans to redesign its retail stores. And Campbell — who began her career at The Home Depot as a cashier — is helping the retailer score market share, in part by appealing more to women, keeping stores and products up-to-date and smoothing the process of online transactions.
However, the fact that retailers still need more women leaders remains. When it comes down to it, it’s about the will to change and having those already in the top ranks recognizing and believing in the value of women. Females provide a different set of skills than that of their male counterparts and can bring a unique perspective to any organization. By nature, women are opportunity experts and when a woman finds an opportunity, she remains focused on that goal and doesn’t let her ego get in the way.
Ann Marie Campbell, EVP of Home Depot’s U.S. Stores (Image: Twitter/@OKH_Gena)
This shows that the retail industry has led the way in achieving non-executive gender diversity, but retail and the non-executive level is only the beginning. Females are taking over on screen and off. Yet with the retail and entertainment boxes checked, women will continue to shatter the glass ceiling in any industry due to their resilience and unwavering determination. That in itself should be enough for a seat at the table — yet it isn’t.
When everyone has a seat at the table, we are at our strongest, not just in the business sector but in every aspect of our communities. When everyone has a seat at the table, there is comfort and respect. Once everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of their gender and race, then we shall celebrate.
And we’re getting closer — which is important — but we’re not quite there yet. Until then, here’s to all the powerful girl bosses out there that are hustling day in and day out. We see you.
Featured Image: Mary Dillon, CEO of Ulta by Rebecca Greenfield for Fortune
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