ULTA vs RTO Comparison

Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the US with more than 1,500 freestanding stores. The firm offers cosmetics (38% of 2025 sales), fragrances (13%), skin care (24%), and hair care products (19%). It also has salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow, that account for 4% of its revenue and drive customer traffic. Outside of the US, Ulta operates premium beauty retailer Space NK (86 stores at year-end 2025 in the UK and Ireland) and has franchised stores in Mexico, and a joint venture in the Middle East. In addition, Ulta collects royalties through its Target partnership (ending in summer 2026) and credit card revenue. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

Rentokil Initial is the largest global provider of route-based pest control and commercial hygiene services, operating in over 90 countries, with its largest operations in the United States following the acquisition of Terminix. The group also offers a range of specialist route-based services, including office and commercial space plant care, property care, and workwear rentals. The group serves a diverse client base of global food producers, hotel chains, industrial goods companies, restaurants, and individual residential customers.