GRACE Inc. (CEO Abraham Sun Cho) has taken a major step in expanding its global distribution network by establishing formal vendor relationships with leading beauty retail channels across the United States and Canada.
The company has secured direct trading structures with Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Costco USA, positioning itself to advance the presence of Korean health, beauty, and lifestyle brands across North America.
This development marks a meaningful shift from agency-based activity to a fully integrated distribution model capable of driving mainstream U.S. retail entry for K-beauty brands.
Beginning in the FW 2026 season, Ulta Beauty is slated to introduce Korean brands across approximately 1,000 stores nationwide, supported by online distribution through Ulta.com.
Nordstrom launched its first Korean brands online and at its New York flagship in January, with discussions underway to expand into more than 490 stores across the country.
Costco USA will begin online and in-store sales beginning in the first half of 2026, with expansion into Costco Canada also in progress. Beyond beauty, the scope of discussions now includes health supplements and K-food snack items.
To support this expansion, GRACE Inc. has established GRACE America Inc., a U.S. subsidiary overseeing local retail management, logistics, customs clearance, and inventory operations.
The company is also strengthening local sourcing capabilities through the recruitment of U.S.-based MDs and buyers.
A GRACE Inc. spokesperson emphasized that this move represents more than a market test—it reflects a structure built for scalable distribution and sustained revenue growth. While Korean brands continue to perform strongly on platforms such as Amazon and TikTok, offline retail remains the dominant force in North America. Against this backdrop, the active introduction of Korean products by major retailers such as Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Costco is a significant and symbolic step for the mainstream expansion of K-beauty.
GRACE Inc. plans to continue accelerating its U.S. distribution efforts across leading retail channels—including Walmart, Target, Nordstrom, Costco, and Sephora—while actively supporting the global growth of high-potential Korean H&B brands.
The company will also participate in Cosmoprof Las Vegas and Cosmoprof Bologna in 2026 to further strengthen its global expansion strategy and enhance its brand selection for each retail channel.
GRACE Inc.
Inquiries: info@graceint.com
