Helping create a healthier and more beautiful planet

Being an industry leader means setting an example for others to follow. In 2023, we were proud to set our first science-based target (SBT) for carbon emissions, which was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Our target has three main components, each of which we will address in distinct ways. It is designed to take responsibility for areas where we have the most control, and influence where we do not.

Learn more about our science-based targets in our 2023 ESG Report.

Decreasing emissions from transportation and distribution

We also are focused on reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting products from our distribution centers (DCs) to stores and fulfilling e-commerce orders. Recent initiatives include:

• Opening a new market fulfillment center on the East Coast that is closer to major population centers, which means fewer delivery miles traveled.

• Adding more stores that offer “ship from store” capabilities, which use the store as a mini-DC so that products can be shipped to a guest from whichever location is closest.

• Working with two of our largest brand partners, L’Oréal Groupe and The Estée Lauder Companies, to consolidate shipments between their facilities and our DCs to reduce the number of shipments each week.

• Shifting away from trucks and toward lower-carbon rail transport for long-distance shipments.

• Retrofitting one DC and opening a new one with the latest in fulfillment technology to better service e-commerce orders and increase efficiency.

Reducing product and packaging waste

We strive to conserve precious resources like water, forests and the raw materials used to make our products and packaging. As part of our efforts to create more e-commerce efficiencies, we are exploring ways to use more sustainable packaging materials and less packaging overall. Where possible, we are removing plastic bubble wrap and testing smaller box sizes to fit more orders into trucks. Guests will notice new Sustainable Forestry Initiative labels on cardboard boxes, indicating that boxes are made with paper from responsibly managed forests, and How2Recycle labels encouraging them to recycle boxes in curbside bins. We are also working with partners to design packaging that minimizes the risk of product damage and determine more sustainable approaches for handling unsold products.

Learn more about environmental stewardship in our 2023 ESG Report.