Ulta Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results
Net Sales Increased 8.5%
Comparable Sales Increased 4.0%
Diluted EPS Increased 7.8% to $3.89
BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen-week period (“Fourth Quarter”) and fifty-two week period (“Fiscal Year”) ended February 1, 2020 compared to the same periods ended February 2, 2019.
“The Ulta Beauty team delivered results for the fourth quarter at the high end of our expectations, and I am proud of how our teams worked together to serve our guests this holiday season,” said Mary Dillon, Chief Executive Officer. “Our enhanced omnichannel capabilities, combined with our merchandise exclusives, cross-category marketing events, and great execution by our store teams, enabled us to expand our market share and deliver a successful quarter.”
For the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2019
- Net sales increased 8.5% to $2,305.9 million compared to $2,124.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018;
- Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 4.0% compared to an increase of 9.4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The 4.0% comparable sales increase was driven by 1.8% transaction growth and 2.2% growth in average ticket;
- Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased 10 basis points to 35.0% compared to 34.9% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, primarily due to improvement in merchandise margins driven by marketing and merchandising strategies, partially offset by investments in salon services;
- Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 90 basis points to 22.4% compared to 21.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, primarily due to investments to support future growth, deleverage in marketing expense, and higher payroll and benefit-related expenses, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense;
- Pre-opening expenses increased to $3.6 million compared to $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Real estate activity in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 included 13 new stores and two relocations, compared to 12 new stores in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018;
- Operating income increased 2.3% to $287.8 million, or 12.5% of net sales, compared to $281.2 million, or 13.2% of net sales, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018;
- Tax rate was 22.7% compared to 24.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The lower effective tax rate is due to federal income tax credits;
- Net income increased 3.7% to $222.7 million compared to $214.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018; and
- Diluted earnings per share increased 7.8% to $3.89, which included a $0.06 per share benefit due to an increase in federal income tax credits, compared to $3.61 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
For the Full Year of Fiscal 2019
- Net sales increased 10.1% to $7,398.1 million compared to $6,716.6 million in fiscal 2018;
- Comparable sales increased 5.0% compared to an increase of 8.1% in fiscal 2018. The 5.0% comparable sales increase was driven by 3.3% transaction growth and 1.7% growth in average ticket;
- Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased 30 basis points to 36.2% compared to 35.9% in fiscal 2018, primarily due to improvement in merchandise margins driven by marketing and merchandising strategies and leverage of fixed store costs, partially offset by investments in salon services;
- SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 90 basis points to 23.8% compared to 22.9% in fiscal 2018, primarily due to investments to support future growth and higher payroll and benefit-related expenses, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense and leverage in marketing expense;
- Pre-opening expenses decreased to $19.3 million compared to $19.8 million in fiscal 2018. Real estate activity in fiscal 2019 included 86 new stores, 12 remodels, and eight relocations, compared to 107 new stores, 13 remodels, and two relocations in fiscal 2018;
- Operating income increased 5.5% to $901.1 million, or 12.1% of net sales, compared to $854.1 million, or 12.7% of net sales, in fiscal 2018;
- Tax rate decreased to 22.1% compared to 23.3% in fiscal 2018. The lower effective tax rate is primarily due to income tax accounting for share-based compensation and federal income tax credits;
- Net income increased 7.2% to $705.9 million compared to $658.6 million in fiscal 2018; and
- Diluted earnings per share increased 11.1% to $12.15 which included a $0.30 per share benefit primarily due to income tax accounting for share-based compensation and federal income tax credits, compared to $10.94 in fiscal 2018, which included a $0.09 per share benefit due to income tax accounting for share-based compensation.
Balance Sheet
Merchandise inventories, net at the end of fiscal 2019 totaled $1,293.7 million compared to $1,214.3 million at the end of fiscal 2018, representing an increase of $79.4 million. The increase in total inventory was driven by 80 net new stores. Average inventory per store was flat compared to fiscal 2018.
The Company ended fiscal 2019 with $502.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.
On March 11, 2020, the Company entered into an Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, which amended and restated the existing agreement. The new loan agreement extends the maturity of the facility to March 11, 2025, provides maximum revolving loans equal to the lesser of $1.0 billion or a percentage of eligible owned inventory, contains a $50 million sub-facility for letters of credit and allows the Company to increase the revolving facility by an additional $100 million.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement – Leases
On February 3, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842 using the modified retrospective approach. The new standard requires leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. Upon adoption, the Company recognized and measured leases without revising comparative period information or disclosures. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recording of operating lease assets and liabilities of $1.46 billion and $1.84 billion, respectively, as of February 3, 2019. As part of the adoption, the Company recorded an adjustment to retained earnings of $2.4 million.
Share Repurchase Program
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company repurchased 681,458 shares of its common stock at a cost of $174.1 million. During fiscal 2019, the Company repurchased 2,320,896 shares of its common stock at a cost of $681.0 million. As of February 1, 2020, $214.6 million remained available under the $875.0 million share repurchase program announced in March 2019.
On March 10, 2020, the Company’s board of directors approved a new share repurchase authorization of $1.6 billion, which replaces the prior authorization implemented in March 2019. Under the new program, as under the previous program, the Company may repurchase outstanding shares of the Company's common stock from time to time through accelerated share repurchases, privately negotiated transactions, or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The new program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the Board at any time. Since 2014, Ulta Beauty has returned $2.2 billion to shareholders through its share repurchase program, while continuing to make strategic growth investments.
Store Expansion
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company opened 13 stores located in Allen, TX; Blaine, MN; Dallas, TX; Gonzalez, LA; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Madison, AL; Meridian, MS; Moore, OK; Phoenix, AZ (2); Sioux Falls, SD; and Wentzville, MO.
The Company ended fiscal 2019 with 1,254 stores and square footage of 13,193,076, representing a 6.9% increase in square footage compared to fiscal 2018.
Outlook
For fiscal 2020, the Company plans to:
- open approximately 75 net new stores, execute approximately 15 remodel or relocation projects, and complete approximately 42 store refreshes;
- increase total sales by approximately 7.0% to 8.0%;
- achieve comparable sales growth of approximately 3.0% to 4.0%;
- deleverage operating income margin rate in the range of 70 to 80 basis points;
- deliver diluted earnings per share in the range of $12.55 to $12.75, including the impact of approximately $1.3 billion in share repurchases and assuming an effective tax rate of between 24% and 24.5%;
- incur capital expenditures between $280 million and $300 million;
- incur depreciation and amortization expense between $310 million and $320 million; and
- incur net interest expense of approximately $9.0 million.
The Company’s guidance does not include assumptions for any impact related to Coronavirus.
Conference Call Information
A conference call to discuss fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 results is scheduled for today, March 12, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 705‑6003. The conference call will also be webcast live at http://ir.ultabeauty.com. A replay of the webcast will remain available for 90 days. A replay of the conference call will be available until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 26, 2020 and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512‑2921 and entering conference ID number 13699174.
About Ulta Beauty
At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest U.S. beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the Company reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to shop for beauty – bringing together all things beauty, all in one place. Today, Ulta Beauty has grown to become the top national retailer offering the complete beauty experience.
Ulta Beauty brings possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.
Ulta Beauty is recognized for its commitment to personalized service, fun and inviting stores and our industry-leading Ultamate Rewards loyalty program. As of February 1, 2020, Ulta Beauty operates 1,254 retail stores across 50 states and also distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.
Forward‑Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “strategies” or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon our historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates, targets, strategies or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: changes in the overall level of consumer spending and volatility in the economy; the possibility that we may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets; the possibility that the capacity of our distribution and order fulfillment infrastructure and the performance of our newly opened and to be opened distribution centers may not be adequate to support our recent growth and expected future growth plans; our ability to sustain our growth plans and successfully implement our long-range strategic and financial plan; the ability to execute our Efficiencies for Growth cost optimization program; the possibility that cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information or result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; the possibility of material disruptions to our information systems; our ability to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner; changes in the wholesale cost of our products; the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues; our ability to attract and retain key executive personnel; natural disasters, epidemics, or pandemics like the Coronavirus that could negatively impact sales; our ability to successfully execute our common stock repurchase program or implement future common stock repurchase programs; and other risk factors detailed in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019, as such may be amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q. Our filings with the SEC are available at www.sec.gov. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Exhibit 1
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 Weeks Ended |
||||||||
|
|
February 1, |
|
February 2, |
||||||
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
||||||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
(Unaudited) |
||||||
Net sales |
|
$ |
2,305,918 |
|
100.0% |
|
$ |
2,124,716 |
|
100.0% |
Cost of sales |
|
|
1,499,033 |
|
65.0% |
|
|
1,383,857 |
|
65.1% |
Gross profit |
|
|
806,885 |
|
35.0% |
|
|
740,859 |
|
34.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
515,542 |
|
22.4% |
|
|
457,245 |
|
21.5% |
Pre-opening expenses |
|
|
3,587 |
|
0.2% |
|
|
2,404 |
|
0.1% |
Operating income |
|
|
287,756 |
|
12.5% |
|
|
281,210 |
|
13.2% |
Interest income, net |
|
|
(439) |
|
0.0% |
|
|
(1,275) |
|
0.1% |
Income before income taxes |
|
|
288,195 |
|
12.5% |
|
|
282,485 |
|
13.3% |
Income tax expense |
|
|
65,476 |
|
2.8% |
|
|
67,811 |
|
3.2% |
Net income |
|
$ |
222,719 |
|
9.7% |
|
$ |
214,674 |
|
10.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
3.91 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
3.89 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
56,992 |
|
|
|
|
59,053 |
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
57,195 |
|
|
|
|
59,431 |
|
|
Exhibit 2
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52 Weeks Ended |
||||||||
|
|
February 1, |
|
February 2, |
||||||
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
||||||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
||||||
Net sales |
|
$ |
7,398,068 |
|
100.0% |
|
$ |
6,716,615 |
|
100.0% |
Cost of sales |
|
|
4,717,004 |
|
63.8% |
|
|
4,307,304 |
|
64.1% |
Gross profit |
|
|
2,681,064 |
|
36.2% |
|
|
2,409,311 |
|
35.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,760,716 |
|
23.8% |
|
|
1,535,464 |
|
22.9% |
Pre-opening expenses |
|
|
19,254 |
|
0.3% |
|
|
19,767 |
|
0.3% |
Operating income |
|
|
901,094 |
|
12.1% |
|
|
854,080 |
|
12.7% |
Interest income, net |
|
|
(5,056) |
|
0.1% |
|
|
(5,061) |
|
0.1% |
Income before income taxes |
|
|
906,150 |
|
12.2% |
|
|
859,141 |
|
12.8% |
Income tax expense |
|
|
200,205 |
|
2.7% |
|
|
200,582 |
|
3.0% |
Net income |
|
$ |
705,945 |
|
9.5% |
|
$ |
658,559 |
|
9.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
12.21 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.00 |
|
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
12.15 |
|
|
|
$ |
10.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
57,840 |
|
|
|
|
59,864 |
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
58,105 |
|
|
|
|
60,181 |
|
|
Exhibit 3
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) |
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|
|
|
|
|
February 1, |
|
February 2, |
||
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
392,325 |
|
$ |
409,251 |
Short-term investments |
|
|
110,000 |
|
|
— |
Receivables, net |
|
|
139,337 |
|
|
136,168 |
Merchandise inventories, net |
|
|
1,293,701 |
|
|
1,214,329 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
103,567 |
|
|
138,116 |
Prepaid income taxes |
|
|
16,387 |
|
|
16,997 |
Total current assets |
|
|
2,055,317 |
|
|
1,914,861 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
1,205,524 |
|
|
1,226,029 |
Operating lease assets |
|
|
1,537,565 |
|
|
— |
Goodwill |
|
|
10,870 |
|
|
10,870 |
Other intangible assets, net |
|
|
3,391 |
|
|
4,317 |
Deferred compensation plan assets |
|
|
27,849 |
|
|
20,511 |
Other long-term assets |
|
|
23,356 |
|
|
14,584 |
Total assets |
|
$ |
4,863,872 |
|
$ |
3,191,172 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
414,009 |
|
$ |
404,016 |
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
246,088 |
|
|
220,666 |
Deferred revenue |
|
|
237,535 |
|
|
199,054 |
Current operating lease liabilities |
|
|
239,629 |
|
|
— |
Total current liabilities |
|
|
1,137,261 |
|
|
823,736 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current operating lease liabilities |
|
|
1,698,718 |
|
|
— |
Deferred rent |
|
|
— |
|
|
434,980 |
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
89,367 |
|
|
83,864 |
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
36,432 |
|
|
28,374 |
Total liabilities |
|
|
2,961,778 |
|
|
1,370,954 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders’ equity |
|
|
1,902,094 |
|
|
1,820,218 |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
|
$ |
4,863,872 |
|
$ |
3,191,172 |
Exhibit 4
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) |
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|
|
52 Weeks Ended |
||||
|
|
February 1, |
|
February 2, |
||
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
705,945 |
|
$ |
658,559 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
295,599 |
|
|
279,472 |
Non-cash lease expense |
|
|
278,820 |
|
|
— |
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
5,503 |
|
|
34,080 |
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
25,045 |
|
|
26,636 |
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
5,850 |
|
|
2,885 |
Change in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables |
|
|
(20,637) |
|
|
(36,387) |
Merchandise inventories |
|
|
(79,372) |
|
|
(122,019) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
9,289 |
|
|
(39,450) |
Income taxes |
|
|
610 |
|
|
(29,609) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
9,993 |
|
|
78,256 |
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
28,183 |
|
|
29,265 |
Deferred revenue |
|
|
38,481 |
|
|
50,684 |
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
(256,910) |
|
|
— |
Deferred rent |
|
|
— |
|
|
27,064 |
Other assets and liabilities |
|
|
54,894 |
|
|
(3,309) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
1,101,293 |
|
|
956,127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments, net |
|
|
(110,000) |
|
|
120,000 |
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(298,534) |
|
|
(319,400) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
|
|
— |
|
|
(13,606) |
Purchases of equity investments |
|
|
(62,946) |
|
|
(2,101) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(471,480) |
|
|
(215,107) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of common shares |
|
|
(680,979) |
|
|
(616,194) |
Stock options exercised |
|
|
43,780 |
|
|
13,121 |
Purchase of treasury shares |
|
|
(9,540) |
|
|
(6,141) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
(646,739) |
|
|
(609,214) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(16,926) |
|
|
131,806 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
|
|
409,251 |
|
|
277,445 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
|
$ |
392,325 |
|
$ |
409,251 |
Exhibit 5
2019 Store Expansion |
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|
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|
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Total stores open |
|
Number of stores |
|
Number of stores |
|
Total stores |
|
|
at beginning of the |
|
opened during the |
|
closed during the |
|
open at |
Fiscal 2019 |
|
quarter |
|
quarter |
|
quarter |
|
end of the quarter |
1st Quarter |
|
1,174 |
|
22 |
|
0 |
|
1,196 |
2nd Quarter |
|
1,196 |
|
20 |
|
3 |
|
1,213 |
3rd Quarter |
|
1,213 |
|
31 |
|
3 |
|
1,241 |
4th Quarter |
|
1,241 |
|
13 |
|
0 |
|
1,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross square feet for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total gross square |
|
stores opened or |
|
Gross square feet for |
|
Total gross square |
|
|
feet at beginning of |
|
expanded during the |
|
stores closed |
|
feet at end of the |
Fiscal 2019 |
|
the quarter |
|
quarter |
|
during the quarter |
|
quarter |
1st Quarter |
|
12,337,145 |
|
236,596 |
|
0 |
|
12,573,741 |
2nd Quarter |
|
12,573,741 |
|
209,469 |
|
29,612 |
|
12,753,598 |
3rd Quarter |
|
12,753,598 |
|
339,469 |
|
31,276 |
|
13,061,791 |
4th Quarter |
|
13,061,791 |
|
131,285 |
|
0 |
|
13,193,076 |
Exhibit 6
Sales by category
The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of net sales by primary category: |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 weeks ended |
||
|
|
February 1, |
|
February 2, |
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
Cosmetics |
|
48% |
|
51% |
Skincare, bath, and fragrance |
|
25% |
|
23% |
Haircare products and styling tools |
|
18% |
|
18% |
Services |
|
4% |
|
4% |
Other (nail products, accessories, and other) |
|
5% |
|
4% |
|
|
100% |
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52 weeks ended |
||
|
|
February 1, |
|
February 2, |
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
Cosmetics |
|
50% |
|
51% |
Skincare, bath, and fragrance |
|
22% |
|
21% |
Haircare products and styling tools |
|
19% |
|
19% |
Services |
|
5% |
|
5% |
Other (nail products, accessories, and other) |
|
4% |
|
4% |
|
|
100% |
|
100% |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200312005791/en/
Investor Contacts:
Kiley Rawlins, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
[email protected]
(331) 757-2206
Patrick Flaherty
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
[email protected]
(331) 253-3521
Media Contact:
Olivia Mata
Senior Manager, Public Relations
(630) 410-5408
Source: Ulta Beauty, Inc.