Research

Kohls Description * * * * * * * * * * DESCRIPTION * * * * * * * * * * Kohl's wants to be easy on shoppers and tough on competition. The company operates 800-plus discount department stores in 45 states. About a third of its stores are in the Midwest, where Kohl's continues to grow while rapidly expanding into other markets. Moderately priced name-brand and private-label apparel, shoes, accessories, and housewares are sold through centrally located cash registers, designed to expedite checkout and keep staff costs down. Kohl's competes with discount and mid-level department stores. Merchandising relationships allow Kohl's to carry top brands (NIKE, Levi's, OshKosh B'Gosh) not typically available to discounters; it sells them cheaper than department stores by controlling costs. Ulta Description * * * * * * * * * * DESCRIPTION * * * * * * * * * * Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance wants to be every woman's ultimate beauty stop. The company operates more than 150 stores in 24 states (about a third are in Texas and Illinois). It sells cosmetics, fragrances, skin and hair care products and appliances, and accessories. Ulta stores also offer hair salon services, as well as manicures, pedicures, massages, and other beauty and spa treatments. Ulta.com offers about 18,000 products and more than 400 brand names. Continually expanding, most recently to South Florida, Ulta hopes to have 500 stores by 2012. The company, founded in 1990 by Terry Hanson and Dick George, is owned by private investors Doublemousse Investments and Global Retail Partners, among others.