Ulta Beauty's Chief Store Operations Officer, Kecia Steelman, details the company's $25 million investment and comprehensive strategy to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout its business. This episode reveals how a major retailer is actively combatting racial bias, fostering inclusive hiring, and leveraging social values to drive success, providing a blueprint for other ecommerce operators to integrate meaningful DEI initiatives.
Key takeaways
Implement a dedicated budget for DEI initiatives, like Ulta Beauty's $25 million investment, to signal serious commitment and fund concrete programs.
Integrate DEI across all customer touchpoints, both in-store and online, ensuring visible advancements for consumers.
Empower and involve store associates and employees in developing DEI initiatives to foster ownership and gather valuable insights from the front lines.
Appoint key leadership roles, such as Ulta's Diversity and Inclusion Advisor (Tracee Ellis Ross), to guide and champion DEI efforts at the executive level.
Develop clear campaigns and commitments, such as Ulta's MUSE (Magnify, Uplift, Support, Empower Black voices in beauty) to give structure and public visibility to DEI goals.
In episode 292 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kecia Steelman, chief store operations officer at Ulta Beauty, the largest U.S. beauty retailer for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. Steelman discusses her recently announced transition to the chief operating officer position at Ulta Beauty and the company's…
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Implement a dedicated budget for DEI initiatives, like Ulta Beauty's $25 million investment, to signal serious commitment and fund concrete programs.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Integrate DEI across all customer touchpoints, both in-store and online, ensuring visible advancements for consumers.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Empower and involve store associates and employees in developing DEI initiatives to foster ownership and gather valuable insights from the front lines.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Appoint key leadership roles, such as Ulta's Diversity and Inclusion Advisor (Tracee Ellis Ross), to guide and champion DEI efforts at the executive level.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Develop clear campaigns and commitments, such as Ulta's MUSE (Magnify, Uplift, Support, Empower Black voices in beauty) to give structure and public visibility to DEI goals.
