Target and Ulta mutually agree not to renew partnership launched in 2021

NEW YORK (AP) — Target and Ulta Beauty are parting ways, ending a partnership launched in 2021 that created in-store shops filled with beauty products at hundreds of the discounter's stores.

According to a joint release issued Thursday, the companies said they have “mutually agreed" not to renew their pact, which concludes in August 2026. Until then, the Ulta Beauty experience at Target will continue in Target stores and on Target.com, the release said.

Ulta is currently in 600 of Target's roughly 1,980 stores, according to a Target spokesperson.

“For 35 years, Ulta Beauty has revolutionized how people experience beauty — bringing together an unmatched assortment from mass to luxury — and our partnership with Target was one of many unique ways we have brought the power of beauty to guests nationwide,” said Amiee Bayer-Thomas, chief retail officer of Ulta Beauty, in a statement.

Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Target, said in a statement he was committed to "offering the beauty experience consumers have come to expect from Target.”

The partnership was announced in 2020 and came as the coronavirus pandemic upended shopping habits and more people tried to minimize potential exposure to the virus through one-stop shopping. COVID had dampened sales of lipstick as people wore masks, but the skincare business enjoyed stronger sales.

The shops are about 1,000 square feet and carry makeup, skincare, and fragrance and operated beside existing beauty sections in Target stores. The deal was a way for both Target and Ulta to increase their customer base.

“It’s a combination of two winning retailers that have great momentum in the market that can redefine the category,” Target CEO Brian Cornell told The Associated Press back in 2020.

The announcement comes as Target is struggling to regain its footing with its shoppers who are pulling back on discretionary items and are shopping at other rivals that they believe to be lower price or offer better merchandise.

Target is slated to report its fiscal second-quarter results on Wednesday.

In September 2022, Target extended its contract for its chairman and CEO Brian Cornell for another three years. It has not announced its succession plan.

FILE - In this May 30, 2018, photo, shoppers look through the updated cosmetic department at a Target store in San Antonio. AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Sergio Garcia broke his driver on No. 2 at Augusta National after an outburst on the tee box, then created a lighter moment later on that same hole when he carried fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm's clubs for a bit Sunday at the Masters.

The Garcia-Rahm group, which paired two countrymen and former champions, was always going to create some buzz, even with both out of contention. Then Garcia brought the drama.

The 2017 Masters champ looked frustrated on his follow through when his first shot of the day went well to the right. After a bogey on No. 1, Garcia lost it on the second tee box, slamming his club into the turf twice after hitting a shot that ended up in the bunker.

Then he took a swipe at a table with a green cooler on it. That left the head of his driver dangling from the shaft, and he reached over and yanked it off completely.

Garcia was disqualified in 2019 at the Saudi International for damaging greens in frustration. This time he got control of himself before it got to that point.

Later on that same hole, things turned comical when Garcia started carrying Rahm's bag while Rahm's caddie was tending to the bunker. The crowd applauded when Rahm took the bag from Garcia and started carrying it himself as caddie Adam Hayes hustled to catch up to the players.

Garcia did manage to make par on No. 2 before bogeying the third and fourth holes.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Jon Rahm, of Spain, reacts after missing a putt on the 13th hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Sergio Garcia, of Spain, finshes his first round in the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)