APR Co.’s beauty-tech brand Medicube will roll out across all of Ulta Beauty’s 1,400-plus U.S. stores starting August, marking a significant milestone for Korean skincare companies seeking mainstream American retail distribution.
The simultaneous online and in-store launch is unusual for international brands at Ulta, which typically tests new entrants online before committing to physical store placement. Twenty-two Medicube products will be available, including the Booster Pro devices that have sold over one million units globally and skincare staples like Zero Pore Pad and Deep Vita C Capsule Cream.
The Ulta partnership follows APR’s aggressive U.S. marketing push, which included CES 2025 participation and Times Square advertising. Korean beauty brands have historically relied on niche e-commerce platforms to reach American consumers, making Medicube’s nationwide retail debut particularly notable for the industry.
APR’s expansion comes amid strong financial performance, with Q1 2025 operating profit jumping to 54.6 billion won ($38.3 million), nearly double year-over-year figures. Sales surged 79% to 266 billion won during the same period, driven by growing international demand for the company’s cosmetics and beauty devices.
While APR shares slipped 0.2% to 102,500 won on Monday, they had gained more than 30% over the previous three sessions, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s global growth strategy.
