Ulta’s Q4, full-year earnings lay groundwork for continued store growth

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Ulta Beauty on Thursday reported a stellar fourth quarter that shows why many consider it one of the hottest retailers in the United States.  



The beauty products retailer also said it would open approximately 100 net new stores in 2017, and remodel 13 locations.   

    

Ulta Beauty’s net income for the quarter, ended Jan. 30, surged 30% to a better-than-expected $140.2 million, from $107.8 million in the year-ago period.



Net sales jumped 24.6% to $1.6 billion, also better than expected.



Total same-store sales, which include online commerce, rose 16.6%, driven by 10.9% growth in transactions and 5.7% growth in average ticket.



E-commerce sales grew 63.4% to $154.9 million from $94.8 million last year, representing 380 basis points of the total company comparable sales increase of 16.6%.



“The Ulta Beauty team delivered outstanding fourth quarter results, capping an exceptional year of sales and earnings growth while investing to drive market share gains and create sustainable long-term shareholder value,” said Mary Dillon, CEO, Ulta Beauty, which had 974 stores at the end of the fourth quarter. “We are confident in our outlook for continued success in 2017 … Our new brand pipeline is very healthy and we are particularly excited to announce the addition of the Estée Lauder Companies’ MAC brand, which will launch on Ulta.com and begin to roll out to stores this spring.”



The retailer offered a light forecast for its first quarter, saying it expects revenue in the range of $1.24 billion to $1.26 billion. Analysts had expected revenue of $1.28 billion.



For the full year, Ulta Beauty’s net income increased 28.0% to $409.8 million and net sales increased 23.7% to $4.9 billion. Same-store increased 15.8%, driven by 10.7% growth in transactions and 5.1% growth in average ticket. Retail comparable sales increased 13.4%.