Redis > Case Studies > Redis Enterprise on Google Cloud: Powering Ulta Beauty's Digital Transformation

Redis Enterprise on Google Cloud: Powering Ulta Beauty's Digital Transformation

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Technology Category
  • Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Event-Driven Application
  • Functional Applications - Inventory Management Systems
Applicable Industries
  • E-Commerce
  • Retail
Applicable Functions
  • Product Research & Development
  • Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases
  • Inventory Management
  • Retail Store Automation
Services
  • Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
  • System Integration
About The Customer
Ulta Beauty, Inc. is the largest beauty retailer in the U.S. and the premier destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skincare products, hair care products, and salons. The company operates more than 1,450 retail stores across the country and maintains a popular e-commerce website, which includes a collection of beauty tips, tutorials, and social content. Ulta Beauty's CEO, Dave Kimbell, and IT director, Omar Koncobo, led the company's transition from an old business model to a more sustainable IT infrastructure that is quickly migrating to the cloud.
The Challenge
Ulta Beauty, a leading U.S. beauty retailer, faced a significant challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid growth of online shopping necessitated a renovation of its e-commerce presence and a shift towards a more efficient, cloud-based architecture. The company needed a versatile, scalable, and powerful in-memory database that could support a microservices architecture and offer robust caching capabilities. The goal was to manage the rapid growth and create a cohesive customer experience, both online and in its retail stores. The company also aimed to transition from an old business model, based on legacy applications and on-premises information systems, to a more sustainable IT infrastructure that could quickly migrate to the cloud.
The Solution
Ulta Beauty chose to migrate to Redis Enterprise on Google Cloud to manage its rapid growth and create a new digital presence. Redis Cloud handles application layer caching via an in-memory database that requires zero storage. This solution reduced development efforts, simplified integration with third-party technologies, and anchored a curbside pickup service that kept inventory moving during the pandemic. The migration to Redis Cloud also allowed Ulta to automate development tasks that formerly consumed lots of cycles for Ulta Beauty’s innovation team, including designing a “digital store of the future” and refreshing the Ulta website with new personalization tools for shoppers. Redis Cloud's advanced caching capabilities and the ability to optimize the data layer for a microservices architecture were key factors in Ulta Beauty's decision to migrate.
Operational Impact
  • The migration to Redis Enterprise on Google Cloud has significantly improved Ulta Beauty's operational efficiency. The company was able to quickly pivot in response to the retail upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, growing its revenue by about 40% in 2021. The new IT infrastructure has enabled the company to launch ambitious business goals such as curbside pickup, same-day delivery, and a new service called Beauty to Go. The company has also been able to unify the in-store and digital experiences, creating a 'roaming cart' concept that merges physical and digital shopping experiences. The transition from on-premises, open source Redis to Redis Enterprise on Google Cloud was seamless, and the company now enjoys the flexibility to move amongst all the major public clouds.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Ulta Beauty's revenue grew by about 40% in 2021.
  • The migration to Redis Cloud automated many development tasks, saving significant time for the innovation team.
  • Inventory calls, which previously took one to two seconds to complete, now take two to three milliseconds with Redis Cloud.

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