Retailer & Marketplace · vs · Retailer & Marketplace
Macy's vs Ulta Beauty
Structured technology and market comparison · 2026
Direct Feature Comparison
Macy's · vs · Ulta BeautyUS department-store retailer with marketplace and retail media network.
Omnichannel beauty retailer with retail media and marketplace revenues.
Comparison Analysis
What is the main difference between Macy's and Ulta Beauty?
When comparing Macy's and Ulta Beauty, both platforms operate within the Retail Media Technology, Commerce & Retail Media, and Retailer & Marketplace ecosystem. Macy's is positioned as US department-store retailer with marketplace and retail media network, whereas Ulta Beauty focuses on Omnichannel beauty retailer with retail media and marketplace revenues. Decision-makers evaluate both solutions when orchestrating their commercial monetization and technology stack.
What are the top alternatives to Macy's and Ulta Beauty?
When evaluating Macy's and Ulta Beauty, enterprise buyers also consider other platforms in Retail Media Technology, Commerce & Retail Media, and Retailer & Marketplace. You can discover the full competitive landscape and evaluate other alternatives by viewing their respective footprint profiles on Polaris7.
Market Signals
Recent Market Signals & Activity: Macy's vs Ulta Beauty
Documented market movements, strategic partnerships, product releases, and regulatory developments mapped across Polaris7.
Macy's
Recent Signals
- ·Retail DiveRetail Supply Chain Technology
Macy's Rolls Out AI Inventory Replenishment Tool
Macy's Inc. is expanding an artificial intelligence forecast overlay to its inventory replenishment operations, moving from pilot to broader implementation, according to its September 10 earnings call. The initiative aims to improve in-stock levels and drive inventory efficiencies by ensuring the right product is in the right place at the right time. COO and CFO Tom Edwards highlighted that supply chain efficiencies are expected in the second half of 2026, benefiting gross margin. This rollout is part of Macy's 'Bold New Chapter' transformation plan launched in 2024, expected to generate $235 million in savings by 2026. The company enters the fall season in a good inventory position, with inventory up 2.5% in Q2, aligned with sales growth. Other retailers like Target, Lowe's, and Kohl's are also optimizing inventory management with AI and other technologies.
- Macy's is rolling out an AI forecast overlay for inventory replenishment, moving from pilot to broader implementation.
- The AI capability aims to improve in-stock levels and inventory efficiencies.
- COO and CFO Tom Edwards announced the rollout during a September 10 earnings call.
- ·Retail-NewsFinancials/Earnings
Macy's Raises Annual Guidance After Strong Q2
Macy's reported better-than-expected second-quarter results for 2026, raising its full-year guidance. The company saw a 1.1% increase in total sales to $4.9 billion, with comparable sales up 2.7%. All nameplates showed growth, with Bloomingdale's leading at 11.3%, Bluemercury at 6.2%, and Macy's brand at 1.1%. The 'Reimagine 200' stores within the Macy's brand outperformed, with comparable sales up 1.9%. Net income rose to $169 million from $87 million, with adjusted EPS of $0.63, including a $0.23 tariff refund effect. The company plans to reinvest most tariff refunds into the business and remains cautious about the second half due to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.
- Macy's Q2 2026 sales rose 1.1% to $4.9 billion; comparable sales up 2.7%.
- Bloomingdale's comparable sales surged 11.3%; Bluemercury up 6.2%; Macy's brand up 1.1%.
- Net income doubled to $169 million; adjusted EPS $0.63 including $0.23 tariff refund impact.
- ·Retail DiveRetail
Bloomingdale's Achieves Record Sales Volume, Gains Market Share
Bloomingdale's, the upscale department store under Macy's Inc., reported a record second-quarter sales volume and double-digit comparable sales growth, driven by its own initiatives and difficulties at rivals Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, now under Exemplar Luxury Group. The company has been revitalizing its assortment with new brands and expanding distribution of premium products. It also launched an AI-powered conversational e-commerce shopping assistant and held more in-store events. Analysts attribute the success to both the disruption at competitors and the company's own effort to enhance the customer experience, indicating a significant step change in performance.
- Bloomingdale's posted double-digit comparable sales growth in Q2 2026.
- Bloomingdale's achieved its best Q2 sales volume in history.
- Sales of owned plus licensed goods reached $922 million.
Ulta Beauty
Recent Signals
- ·SEC APIfinancials
10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Ulta Beauty (2026-08-27)
Ulta Beauty, Inc. reported its second-quarter fiscal 2026 financial results for the 13-week period ended August 1, 2026, delivering consolidated net sales of $3.04 billion, an 8.9% increase year-over-year compared to $2.79 billion in Q2 fiscal 2025. Growth was driven by a 3.8% rise in comparable sales, primarily supported by higher average ticket, as well as contributions from new store openings and the Space NK acquisition. Operating income rose 10.1% to $379.6 million, with operating margin expanding slightly to 12.5%. Net income increased 8.1% to $282.0 million ($6.55 per diluted share), supported by solid consumer engagement across core beauty categories and effective cost management. For the 26-week period, net sales reached $6.20 billion with diluted EPS increasing 14.6% to $14.31, bolstered by ongoing share repurchases under its $3.0 billion authorization.
- Net sales for Q2 fiscal 2026 grew 8.9% YoY to $3.04 billion with a 3.8% increase in comparable sales driven by average ticket growth.
- Operating income expanded 10.1% YoY to $379.6 million, and net income rose 8.1% to $282.0 million ($6.55 diluted EPS).
- During the 26-week period ended August 1, 2026, the company repurchased 1,438,761 shares of common stock for $798.6 million, leaving approximately $1.0 billion remaining under its current authorization.
- ·Retail DiveRetail Operations & Surveillance Technology
Ulta's Flock License Plate Readers Spark Online Backlash
Ulta Beauty faces online criticism over its use of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader technology at some store locations. The backlash was amplified by a viral campaign from activist group UltraViolet. Ulta confirmed the technology is deployed at less than 1% of its approximately 1,500 stores and does not use facial recognition. The company uses the readers to combat organized retail crime, a practice that has drawn public scrutiny amid broader concerns about surveillance. Flock has updated its terms and conditions in response to criticism, and some governments are reconsidering the technology. Ulta's director of organized retail crime, Rory Stallard, has publicly praised Flock's technology for helping collaborate with law enforcement. The retailer did not respond to questions about the start of the partnership.
- Ulta Beauty uses Flock Safety's automated license plate readers at less than 1% of its approximately 1,500 stores.
- The cameras do not use facial recognition, according to a source familiar with the matter.
- Activist group UltraViolet launched a viral campaign criticizing Ulta's use of Flock technology.
- ·Retail DiveFinancials
Ulta Emphasizes Exclusives Amid Target Rivalry
Ulta Beauty reported strong fiscal Q2 results and raised its full-year guidance while downplaying competitive pressure from Target’s new Beauty Studio. Q2 net sales rose nearly 9% year-over-year to $3.0 billion, with comparable-store sales up 3.8%. Ulta now expects full-year net sales growth of 6.7%–7.2% and comps of 3.2%–3.7%, up from prior guidance. CEO Kecia Steelman said the company will focus on differentiation, including exclusive merchandise, and remain willing to use promotions as needed. Makeup comps were nearly flat as prestige growth offset weaker mass makeup; fragrance and hair care grew. Analysts from William Blair, TD Cowen and Jefferies noted the beat but flagged tougher comparisons and competitive intensity in the back half of the year.
- Ulta Beauty reported Q2 net sales of about $3.0 billion, up nearly 9% year-over-year.
- Ulta’s Q2 comparable-store sales grew 3.8% year-over-year.
- Ulta raised full-year guidance to expect net sales growth of 6.7%–7.2% and comps growth of 3.2%–3.7%.
Compare their exact ecosystem overlaps.
Explore all deep relationships in Polaris7. Discover exactly which mutual clients, integrated technologies, and overlapping partners Macy's and Ulta Beauty share across the market ecosystem.