Category: Specialty

Ulta Beauty Announces First Quarter 2013 Results

Total Sales Increased 22.9%
Comparable Store Sales Increased 6.7%
EPS Increased 20.4% to $0.65

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen week period ended May 4, 2013 (“First Quarter”), which compares to the same period ended April 28, 2012.

For the First Quarter:

  • Net sales increased 22.9% to $582.7 million from $474.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  • Comparable store sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months) increased 6.7% including the impact of e-commerce sales, compared to an increase of 10.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  • Gross profit decreased 100 basis points to 35.0% from 36.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  • Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percentage of net sales decreased 60 basis points to 22.8% compared to 23.4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  • Preopening expenses increased to $3.2 million, compared to $2.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Real estate activity in the first quarter included 28 new stores compared to 18 new stores and one relocation in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  • Operating income increased 17.8% to $67.7 million, or 11.6% of net sales, compared to $57.4 million, or 12.1% of net sales, in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  • The tax rate was 38.2% compared to 39.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012;
  •  Net income increased 20.0% to $41.8 million compared to $34.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012; and 
  • Income per diluted share increased 20.4% to $0.65 compared to $0.54 in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

Dennis Eck, Interim Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to announce a strong start to fiscal 2013, with better than expected sales and margin performance. We are on track to add 125 stores this year, and continue to drive outstanding new store productivity. We opened Clinique boutiques in eight more stores, ending the quarter with 51 stores offering Clinique products, with further expansion planned for the rest of the year. We are delighted to announce the addition of 25 LancĂ´me boutiques planned for the fall of 2013, and expect to end the year with a significant percentage of our stores featuring one of these iconic brand boutiques. We continue to grow our loyalty programs and enhance our ability to communicate with our customers with our CRM platform, and plan to convert all our loyalty program members to one program, ULTAmate Rewards, in early 2014. Ulta.com delivered 70% sales growth during the quarter and we are looking forward to launching our redesigned e-commerce platform this fall. The team is executing our growth strategies very well, and our outlook for continued market share gains is excellent.”

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Merchandise inventories at the end of the first quarter totaled $442.1 million, compared to $332.1 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012, representing an increase of $110.0 million. Average inventory per store increased 7.9% compared to prior year. The increase in total inventory was primarily due to the 109 net new stores opened since April 28, 2012, and also includes incremental inventory related to the recently added prestige brand boutiques.

 The Company did not utilize its credit facility during the first quarter ended May 4, 2013. 

Stock repurchase program

On March 18, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program for an aggregate amount of $150 million. During the first quarter, the Company purchased 500,500 shares of common stock for $37.3 million at an average price of $74.58.

Store Expansion

During the first quarter, the Company opened 28 stores located in Ann Arbor, MI; Branson, MO; Carmel, IN; Carson City, NV; Charlotte, NC; Clifton, NJ; Clovis, CA; Columbia, SC; Decatur, AL; East Peoria, IL; Eau Claire, WI; Everett, WA; Gambrills, MD; Hanford, CA; Heath, OH; Holly Springs, NC; Jacksonville, FL; Madison, WI; Nashua, NH; Richmond, TX; Salisbury, MD; Santa Fe, NM; Sioux Falls, SD; Southern Pines, NC; Springfield, MO; Tallahassee, FL; Williamsburg, VA and Woodbridge, VA. In addition, the Company closed two stores. The Company ended the first quarter with 576 stores and square footage of 6,121,399, which represents a 24% increase in square footage compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

Outlook

 For the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company currently expects net sales in the range of $579 million to $589 million, compared to actual net sales of $481.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Comparable store sales for the second quarter of 2013 are expected to increase 4% to 6%. The Company reported a comparable store sales increase of 9.3% in the second quarter of 2012. 

Income per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 is estimated to be in the range of $0.64 to $0.67. This compares to income per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 of $0.54.

The Company is confirming its previously announced fiscal 2013 guidance. The Company plans to:

  • achieve comparable store sales growth of approximately 4% to 6%, including the impact of the e-commerce business;
  • expand square footage by 22% with the opening of 125 net new stores;
  • remodel 7 locations;
  • deliver earnings per share growth, on a 52 week adjusted basis, at the low end of the Company’s long term target of 25% - 30%, including the impact of approximately $0.13 of income per diluted share in incremental investments associated with the planned new store program, supply chain, warehouse systems, and e-commerce site investments, the expansion of prestige brand boutiques, and investments in store labor to support rapid growth in the prestige cosmetics and skincare categories;
  • incur capital expenditures of approximately $225 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $189 million in fiscal 2012; and
  • continue to generate free cash flow.

Conference Call Information

 A conference call to discuss first quarter results is scheduled for today, June 11, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 705-6003. 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 June 25, 2013 and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 and entering conference ID number 415409.

About Ulta Beauty

 Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer that provides one-stop shopping for prestige, mass and salon products and salon services in the United States. Ulta Beauty provides affordable indulgence to its customers by combining unmatched product breadth, value and convenience with the distinctive environment and experience of a specialty retailer. Ulta Beauty offers a unique combination of over 20,000 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 Beauty also offers a full-service salon in all of its stores. As of May 4, 2013, Ulta operates 576 retail stores across 46 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, 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,” 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; our ability to attract and retain key executive personnel; our ability to successfully execute and implement our common stock repurchase program; and other risk factors detailed in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013. 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.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

         
    13 Weeks Ended   13 Weeks Ended
    May 4,   April 28,
    2013   2012
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
Net sales   $ 582,712     100.0 %   $ 474,098   100.0 %
Cost of sales     378,763     65.0 %     303,186   64.0 %
Gross profit     203,949     35.0 %     170,912   36.0 %
                     
Selling, general and administrative expense     133,048     22.8 %     110,943   23.4 %
Pre-opening expenses     3,206     0.6 %     2,523   0.5 %
Operating income     67,695     11.6 %     57,446   12.1 %
Interest (income) expense     (24 )   0.0 %     21   0.0 %
 Income before income taxes      67,719     11.6 %     57,425   12.1 %
Income tax expense     25,893     4.4 %     22,557   4.8 %
 Net income    $ 41,826     7.2 %   $ 34,868   7.4 %
                     
Net income per common share:                    
Basic   $ 0.66         $ 0.56    
Diluted   $ 0.65         $ 0.54    
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic     63,842           62,496    
Diluted     64,495           64,072    
                     
Dividends declared per common share   $         $ 1.00    
 

Exhibit 2

 

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

                 
    May 4,   February 2,   April 28,
    2013   2013   2012
    (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)
Assets                  
Current assets:                  
 Cash and cash equivalents    $ 293,214   $ 320,475   $ 266,345
Receivables, net     29,925     41,515     22,328
Merchandise inventories, net     442,085     361,125     332,065
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     48,106     50,452     40,102
 Deferred income taxes      15,285     15,757     12,257
Total current assets     828,615     789,324     673,097
                   
Property and equipment, net     499,395     483,059     384,904
Deferred compensation plan assets     3,567     2,866    
Total assets   $ 1,331,577   $ 1,275,249   $ 1,058,001
                   
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                  
Current liabilities:                  
Accounts payable   $ 148,488   $ 118,886   $ 111,889
Accrued liabilities     78,847     92,127     77,375
Dividends payable             62,420
 Accrued income taxes      20,732     10,054     5,764
Total current liabilities     248,067     221,067     257,448
                   
Deferred rent     220,003     208,003     171,973
Deferred income taxes     55,988     56,361     43,675
Other long-term liabilities     3,795     2,876    
Total liabilities     527,853     488,307     473,096
                   
Commitments and contingencies                  
                   
Total stockholders’ equity     803,724     786,942     584,905
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,331,577   $ 1,275,249   $ 1,058,001
 

Exhibit 3

 

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

       
    13 Weeks Ended
    May 4,   April 28,
    2013   2012
    (Unaudited)      
Operating activities            
Net income   $ 41,826     $ 34,868  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash            
provided by operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization     24,779       20,985  
Deferred income taxes     99       (513 )
Non-cash stock compensation charges     3,048       2,893  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation     (3,901 )     (16,550 )
Loss on disposal of property and equipment     1,577       255  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:            
Receivables     11,590       3,825  
Merchandise inventories     (80,960 )     (87,418 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,346       3,328  
Income taxes     14,579       18,312  
Accounts payable     29,602       25,447  
Accrued liabilities     (13,968 )     (1,396 )
Deferred rent     12,000       8,510  

Other assets and liabilities

    218        
Net cash provided by operating activities     42,835       12,546  
             
Investing activities            
Purchases of property and equipment     (42,004 )     (24,799 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (42,004 )     (24,799 )
             
Financing activities            
Repurchase of common shares     (37,332 )      
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation     3,901       16,550  
Stock options exercised     5,411       8,310  

Purchase of treasury shares

    (72 )      
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities     (28,092 )     24,860  
             
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents     (27,261 )     12,607  
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      320,475       253,738  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 293,214     $ 266,345  
 

Exhibit 4

 

2013 Store Expansion

                 
    Total stores open   Number of stores   Number of stores    
    at beginning of   opened during the   closed during the   Total stores open at
Fiscal 2013   the quarter   quarter   quarter   end of the quarter
1st Quarter   550   28   2   576
                 
        Gross square feet        
    Total gross square   for stores opened   Gross square feet   Total gross square
    feet at beginning   or expanded during   for stores closed   feet at end of the
Fiscal 2013   of the quarter   the quarter   during the quarter   quarter
1st Quarter   5,847,393   298,083   24,077   6,121,399
 

Contact:
Company Contacts:
Ulta Beauty
Scott Settersten
Chief Financial Officer
(630) 410-4807
or
Laurel Lefebvre
Vice President, Investor Relations
(630) 410-5230
or
Media Contact:
DKC
Juliet Horn
(212) 981-5221