Holiday Sales Rise 23.2% for Ulta

Comparable store sales for the 2012 holiday period increased 7.4%, on top of a 12.6% increase during the same period in the prior year. Over a two year period, comparable store sales increased 20%.


Ulta said comparable store sales exclude e-commerce sales.

“We were pleased with our holiday sales performance given the numerous national news events that appeared to have curtailed customer purchasing behavior across most of retail. After a record sales performance during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, sales in December slowed before strongly rebounding the weekend before Christmas,” said Chuck Rubin, president and CEO. “ Customers were more sensitive to value as they shopped our stores and on-line throughout the holiday period. We believe we gained market share across our major categories, with prestige skincare and cosmetics delivering our strongest growth. We are confident our strategy will continue to drive market share gains and positions us well for long term growth.”

Ultaexpects fourth quarter fiscal 2012 net sales in the range of $742 million to $754 million. Fourth quarter fiscal 2011 net sales were $582.5 million. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 are expected to increase in a range of 5% to 7%, which includes the impact from hurricane Sandy. Fourth quarter fiscal 2011 comparable sales increased 11.5%.