1.Business and basis of presentation

On January 29, 2017, Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. implemented a holding company reorganization. Pursuant to the reorganization, Ulta Beauty, Inc., which was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in December 2016, became the successor to Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., the former publicly-traded company and now a wholly owned subsidiary of Ulta Beauty, Inc. As used in these notes and throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Ulta Beauty,” or the “Company” refer to Ulta Beauty, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company was originally founded in 1990 to operate specialty retail stores selling cosmetics, fragrance, haircare and skincare products, and related accessories and services. The stores also feature full-service salons. As of August 1, 2020, the Company operated 1,264 stores across 50 states, as shown in the table below.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Article 10, Regulation S-X. These financial statements were prepared on a consolidated basis to include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts, transactions, and unrealized profit were eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal

recurring nature, necessary to fairly state the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

The Company’s operating results for the 13 and 26 weeks ended August 1, 2020 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending January 30, 2021 because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, the Company modified a number of its business practices, in part due to legislation, executive orders and guidance from government entities and healthcare authorities (including the temporary closing of businesses deemed “non-essential,” shelter in place orders, social distancing and quarantines). The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a negative impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, profitability, cash flows and supply chain, although the full extent is uncertain. As the pandemic continues to evolve, the extent of the impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, profitability, cash flows and supply chain will depend on future developments, including, but not limited to, the duration and extent of any temporary closing of certain of our stores, the duration of quarantines, shelter-in-place and other travel restrictions within the U.S. and other affected countries, the duration and spread of the pandemic (including any relapses), its severity, the actions to contain the virus and/or treat its impact, the duration, timing and severity of the impact on consumer spending (including the recession resulting from the pandemic), and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

In addition, the Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuation, with significant portions of the Company’s net sales and net income being realized during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to the holiday selling season. As a result, the results for the 13 and 26 weeks ended August 1, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending January 30, 2021, or for any other future interim period or for any future year.

These interim consolidated financial statements and the related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2020. All amounts are stated in thousands, with the exception of per share amounts and number of stores.