Observed Signal · Aug 28, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: Modern Retail · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Target Beauty Studio Includes Almost No Black-Owned Brands
Target is launching "Target Beauty Studio" on Sept. 10 in more than 600 stores and online, a curated assortment of over 1,600 products from 90 largely new-to-Target brands that replaces former Ulta shops. Modern Retail found only two brands in the 90-brand list that appear to be Black-owned or -founded: Briogeo and Glamazon Beauty. Target says the collection emphasizes global brands and that nearly 40% of the brands were founded by "diverse" founders, but it did not define that term. The limited representation of Black-founded brands has renewed criticism of Target’s post-DEI changes, supplier engagement and its historical relationships with Black entrepreneurs; industry consultants urged transparency and potential commitments such as the Fifteen Percent Pledge.
Major national retailer launching a curated beauty assortment with limited Black-owned brand representation — relevant to retail partnerships, supplier diversity, PR and how retailers source and promote emerging brands.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Target Beauty Studio will launch Sept. 10 in more than 600 Target stores and on Target.com with over 1,600 products from 90 brands.
- Modern Retail identified only two Black-owned or Black-founded brands among the 90: Briogeo and Glamazon Beauty.
- Nancy Twine founded Briogeo; in 2022 she sold the brand to Wella for a nine-figure sum, according to Forbes.
- Target said nearly 40% of the Beauty Studio brands were founded by "diverse" founders and defended the global focus of the assortment.
- Target ended several external DEI initiatives and renamed its supplier diversity team to "supplier engagement," while stating it met a 2021 commitment to invest $2 billion in Black-owned businesses.
Connected Companies & Entities
5 Entities mapped“Target Beauty Studio is set to launch Sept. 10 in more than 600 Target stores and on the company’s website....”
“The new beauty selection replaces former Ulta Beauty shops within Target stores and will feature more than 1,600 products from 90 brands, la...”
“She was the youngest Black woman to launch a product line at Sephora, according to the brand’s website....”
“In 2022, Twine sold the brand to Wella for nine figures, she told Forbes....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Target K-Beauty Studio Expands Retail Reach
Target has launched its Beauty Studio, replacing former Ulta Beauty shops in its stores, featuring over 1,600 products from 90 brands. The retailer significantly expanded its K-beauty assortment, quadrupling it with more than 150 new products from over 10 new brands. The Beauty Studio includes six K-beauty brands, five of which are new to Target, such as Amuse, Kaja, Rom&nd, Dr. Melaxin, Purito Seoul, and Sungboon Editor. This move reflects a broader shift of K-beauty brands into mass retail, as they previously depended on specialty retailers like Sephora and Ulta. Target aims to meet growing consumer interest in K-beauty by offering accessible prices and innovative products. However, the new assortment has been criticized for its lack of Black-owned brands, with only two identified among the 90 brands.
Target's DEI Pullback Spurs Black-Owned Brands' Removals
Modern Retail reports that multiple Black-owned consumer brands say their products have been removed from Target stores in recent years, a trend founders link to Target’s 2025 pullback on certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and to opaque assortment and merchandising decisions. Founders — including Afro Unicorn’s April Showers and Ride FRSH’s co-founders — describe poor communication from buyers, unexpected fees for certifications and paid promotions through Target’s retail media network Roundel, and inventory/warehousing costs. Target says assortment changes are based on product performance and that it has increased the number of Black-owned brands vs. 2020. The story also notes investor and activist scrutiny of Target’s reputation after the DEI changes and cites company financials showing a 1.7% net sales decline from 2024 to 2025 and a Q1 2026 sales growth reported by CEO Michael Fiddelke.
Target ends Ulta partnership, launches Beauty Studio
Target is replacing its roughly 600 Ulta Beauty shop‑in‑shops with a new Target Beauty Studio, launching Sept. 10 in more than 600 stores and on Target.com. The curated department — part of Target’s broader turnaround after stronger Q1 results and a year‑over‑year increase in beauty sales — features discovery and education through rotating displays, mini assortments, in‑store testing and dedicated “beauty advisers.” It will carry more than 1,600 products from 90 brands, with over two‑thirds new to Target; several direct‑to‑consumer and indie brands are using the Studio to enter or expand brick‑and‑mortar distribution. The change ends Target’s shop‑in‑shop partnership with Ulta and associated account linking; the rollout ties into Target Circle loyalty offers and includes an in‑store launch celebration on Sept. 26.
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