Exhibit 99.1
(ULTA LOGO)
Company Contact:
Gregg Bodnar
Chief Financial Officer
(630) 410-4633
Investors/Media Contacts:
ICR, Inc.
Allison Malkin/Alecia Pulman
(203) 682-8225/(203) 682-8224
ULTA ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2010 RESULTS
Third Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increase 12.2%
Total Net Sales Increase 19.4%
Third Quarter Diluted EPS of $0.23, Including $0.02 Non-Recurring Compensation Charge
          Bolingbrook, IL – December 2, 2010 – Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. [NASDAQ:ULTA], today announced financial results for the thirteen week period (“Third Quarter”) and thirty-nine week period (“First Nine Months”) ended October 30, 2010, which compare to the same periods ended October 31, 2009.
For the Third Quarter:
    Net sales increased 19.4% to $339.2 million from $284.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009;
 
    Comparable store sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months) increased 12.2% compared to an increase of 1.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009;
 
    Gross profit increased 280 basis points to 35.1% from 32.3% in the third quarter fiscal 2009;
 
    Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percentage of net sales decreased 10 basis points, excluding the impact of the non-recurring compensation charge, compared to the third quarter in fiscal 2009;
 
    Operating income increased 65.4% to $24.3 million, or 7.2% of net sales, compared to $14.7 million, or 5.2% of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009;
 
    Net income increased 67.9% to $14.2 million compared to $8.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009; excluding the non-recurring compensation charge, net income increased 78%;
 
    Income per diluted share increased to $0.23, including $0.02 per diluted share related to the non-recurring compensation charge. Income per diluted share was $0.25, excluding

 


 

      the non-recurring compensation charge. This compares to $0.14 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
Chuck Rubin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ulta stated: “Our outstanding third quarter performance reflects the ongoing success of our key initiatives to increase newness across brands and categories, drive traffic with impactful marketing and in store events, grow our store base and leverage our ecommerce and store channels. Our total sales increase of 19.4% and comparable store increase of 12.2% resulted in Ulta capturing additional market share within the beauty industry. We achieved this growth across our product and service offering, without any incremental marketing events. Compared to the third quarter last year, we improved our merchandise margins and delivered a 64% increase in diluted earnings per share. We ended the quarter with no debt on our balance sheet, inventories per store slightly below a year ago and a record 30 new stores opened during the quarter, which are performing to our expectations.”
“As we look to our fourth quarter, we are very pleased with our positioning,” Mr. Rubin continued. Our holiday strategy includes exciting merchandising and marketing programs that highlight our strong category and brand offering while providing both the newness and value our customers are looking for.”
For the First Nine Months:
    Net sales increased 18.7% to $981.2 million from $826.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009;
 
    Comparable store sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months) increased 11.3% compared to a decrease of (0.8)% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009;
 
    Gross profit increased 320 basis points to 33.4% from 30.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009;
 
    SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales decreased 50 basis points, excluding the non-recurring compensation charge, compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2009;
 
    Operating income increased to $69.9 million, or 7.1% of net sales, compared to $33.9 million, or 4.1% of net sales, in the first nine months of fiscal 2009;
 
    Net income increased to $40.9 million compared to $19.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009;
 
    Income per diluted share increased to $0.67, which includes $0.05 per share of non-recurring compensation charge. This compares to $0.32 in the first nine months of fiscal 2009.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
          Merchandise inventories at the end of the third quarter totaled $301.6 million, compared to $274.0 million at the end of third quarter fiscal 2009, representing an increase of $27.6 million. The increase is primarily due to the addition of 39 net new stores opened since October 31, 2009. Inventory per store decreased 1.1% compared to the prior year reflecting the combined effects of inventory reduction initiatives coupled with inventory increases to support the 12.2% increase in comparable store sales.

 


 

          The Company did not utilize its credit facility during the nine month period ended October 30, 2010.
Store Expansion
          During the third quarter, the Company opened 30 stores located in Abilene, TX; Akron, OH; Ashwaubenon, WI; Augusta, ME; Beaumount, TX; Bloomington, IL; Brandon, FL; Brunswick, GA; Charlottesville, VA; Columbus, OH (Easton Market); Columbus, OH (Polaris); Corpus Christi, TX; Dallas, TX; Denton, TX; Duluth, MN; Fayetteville, AR; Gainesville, GA; Highland, IN; Holland, MI; Houston, TX; Jackson, TN; Kokomo, IN; Lexington, KY; Manchester, CT; Norman, OK; Rogers, AR; Santa Rosa, CA; South Portland, ME; Springfield, IL; Troy, MI; relocated 2 stores in Chandler, AZ and Littleton, CO and remodeled 10 stores. In addition, the Company closed 2 stores. The Company ended the third quarter with 384 stores and square footage of 4,039,330, which represents a 12% increase compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
Outlook
          For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company currently expects net sales in the range of $447 million to $456 million, compared to actual net sales of $396.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. This assumes comparable stores sales increase 4% to 6%, compared to a 6.2% increase last year, resulting in a two year comparable store sales increase of 10.2% to 12.2%.
          Income per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 is estimated to be in the range of $0.39 to $0.41, which includes $0.01 per share of non-recurring compensation expense. Adjusted income per diluted share, excluding the non-recurring compensation expense, is estimated in the range of $0.40 to $0.42. This compares to income per diluted share for fourth quarter fiscal 2009 of $0.34.
For fiscal 2010, the Company has opened 47 new stores, remodeled 13 stores and relocated 5 stores; and plans to:
    incur capital expenditures of approximately $105 million, compared to $68.1 million in fiscal 2009;
 
    reduce inventory by approximately 3% to 5% on an average per store basis by year end 2010;
 
    deliver permanent operating expense efficiencies of approximately $7 million; and
 
    generate free cash flow.
Conference Call Information
          A conference call to discuss third quarter results is scheduled for today, December 2, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 407-0784 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be web-cast live at http://ir.ulta.com and remain available for 90 days. A replay of this call will be available until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 9, 2010 and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 and entering account number 3055 and conference ID number 361249.

 


 

About Ulta
          Ulta is the largest beauty retailer that provides one-stop shopping for prestige, mass and salon products and salon services in the United States. Ulta provides affordable indulgence to its customers by combining the product breadth, value and convenience of a beauty superstore with the distinctive environment and experience of a specialty retailer. Ulta offers a unique combination of over 21,000 prestige and mass beauty products across the categories of cosmetics, fragrance, haircare, skincare, bath and body products and salon styling tools, as well as salon haircare products. Ulta also offers a full-service salon in all of its stores. The Company currently operates 384 retail stores across 39 states and also distributes its products through the Company’s website: 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 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,” 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 or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the impact of weakness in the economy; changes in the overall level of consumer spending; changes in the wholesale cost of our products; the possibility that we may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets; the possibility that our continued opening of new stores could strain our resources and have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance; the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues; the possibility that the capacity of our distribution and order fulfillment infrastructure may not be adequate to support our recent growth and expected future growth plans; the possibility of material disruptions to our information systems; weather conditions that could negatively impact sales; the possibility that our business plan and development strategy may be impacted by our recent leadership change; 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 year ended January 30, 2010 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 30, 2010. Our filings with the SEC are available at www.sec.gov. 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 Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
    13 Weeks Ended     13 Weeks Ended  
    October 30,     October 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Net sales
  $ 339,179       100.0 %   $ 284,043       100.0 %
Cost of sales
    220,273       64.9 %     192,372       67.7 %
             
Gross profit
    118,906       35.1 %     91,671       32.3 %
 
                               
Selling, general and administrative expense
    90,309       26.6 %     74,797       26.3 %
Pre-opening expenses
    4,305       1.3 %     2,183       0.8 %
             
Operating income
    24,292       7.2 %     14,691       5.2 %
Interest expense
    244       0.1 %     441       0.2 %
             
Income before income taxes
    24,048       7.1 %     14,250       5.0 %
Income tax expense
    9,845       2.9 %     5,790       2.0 %
             
Net income
  $ 14,203       4.2 %   $ 8,460       3.0 %
             
 
                               
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.24             $ 0.15          
Diluted
  $ 0.23             $ 0.14          
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    59,063               57,979          
Diluted
    61,057               59,376          

 


 

Exhibit 2
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
    39 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
    October 30,     October 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Net sales
  $ 981,179       100.0 %   $ 826,407       100.0 %
Cost of sales
    653,780       66.6 %     576,480       69.8 %
             
Gross profit
    327,399       33.4 %     249,927       30.2 %
 
                               
Selling, general and administrative expense
    250,947       25.6 %     210,658       25.5 %
Pre-opening expenses
    6,572       0.7 %     5,388       0.7 %
             
Operating income
    69,880       7.1 %     33,881       4.1 %
Interest expense
    576       0.1 %     1,757       0.2 %
             
Income before income taxes
    69,304       7.1 %     32,124       3.9 %
Income tax expense
    28,378       2.9 %     12,994       1.6 %
             
Net income
  $ 40,926       4.2 %   $ 19,130       2.3 %
             
 
                               
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.70             $ 0.33          
Diluted
  $ 0.67             $ 0.32          
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    58,699               57,847          
Diluted
    60,723               59,081          

 


 

Exhibit 3
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
                         
    October 30,     January 30,     October 31,  
    2010     2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)             (Unaudited)  
Assets
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 8,351     $ 4,017     $ 3,795  
Receivables, net
    20,386       13,477       13,340  
Merchandise inventories, net
    301,559       206,948       273,978  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    33,366       30,272       28,386  
Prepaid income taxes
    6,310              
Deferred income taxes
    8,060       8,060       7,984  
     
Total current assets
    378,032       262,774       327,483  
 
                       
Property and equipment, net
    331,390       290,861       293,746  
     
Total assets
  $ 709,422     $ 553,635     $ 621,229  
     
 
                       
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Current portion — notes payable
  $     $     $ 14,635  
Accounts payable
    120,245       56,387       117,520  
Accrued liabilities
    83,808       59,189       57,811  
Accrued income taxes
          10,781       5,682  
     
Total current liabilities
    204,053       126,357       195,648  
 
                       
Notes payable — less current portion
                24,527  
Deferred rent
    134,878       113,718       113,184  
Deferred income taxes
    20,952       20,952       17,616  
     
Total liabilities
    359,883       261,027       350,975  
 
                       
Commitments and contingencies
                       
 
                       
Total stockholders’ equity
    349,539       292,608       270,254  
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 709,422     $ 553,635     $ 621,229  
     

 


 

Exhibit 4
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
                 
    39 Weeks Ended  
    October 30,     October 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)  
Operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 40,926     $ 19,130  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    47,698       46,766  
Non-cash stock compensation charges
    7,399       4,214  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    (2,309 )     (602 )
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment
    (399 )     199  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables
    (6,909 )     4,928  
Merchandise inventories
    (94,611 )     (60,376 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (3,094 )     (4,092 )
Income taxes
    (14,782 )     14,310  
Accounts payable
    63,858       69,709  
Accrued liabilities
    11,556       8,850  
Deferred rent
    21,160       11,896  
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
    70,493       114,932  
 
               
Investing activities
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (74,765 )     (49,390 )
     
Net cash used in investing activities
    (74,765 )     (49,390 )
 
               
Financing activities
               
Proceeds on long-term borrowings
          863,237  
Payments on long-term borrowings
          (930,122 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock plans
    6,297       898  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    2,309       602  
     
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    8,606       (65,385 )
     
 
               
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    4,334       157  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    4,017       3,638  
     
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 8,351     $ 3,795  
     

 


 

Exhibit 5
2010 Store Expansion
                                 
    Total stores open   Number of stores   Number of stores    
    at beginning of the   opened during the   closed during the   Total stores open
Fiscal 2010   quarter   quarter   quarter   at end of the quarter
 
1st Quarter
    346       2       1       347  
2nd Quarter
    347       10       1       356  
3rd Quarter
    356       30       2       384  
                                 
            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 2010   the quarter   quarter   during the quarter   quarter
 
1st Quarter
    3,613,840       28,977       10,796       3,632,021  
2nd Quarter
    3,632,021       105,596       15,936       3,721,681  
3rd Quarter
    3,721,681       340,185       22,536       4,039,330