Ulta Beauty Posts 11.1% Fourth Quarter Growth in 2014

Ulta Beauty announced fourth quarter growth in same store sales at a very high 11.1% and e-commerce growth of 55.2%. The 11.1% same store increase was after a prior year gain of 9.2%.

The company opened 100 new stores last year and are planning another 100 new stores for 2015. It is forecasting same store sales growth of 6% to 8% and e-commerce growth of 40%.

“Ulta Beauty wrapped up a very strong year of sales and profit growth with an excellent fourth quarter, which we are proud to celebrate as our first billion dollar sales quarter,” said Ulta CEO Mary Dillon. “Our best comparable sales increase of the year was driven by accelerating traffic growth, continued strength in prestige and mass color cosmetics, a successful holiday selling season, execution of more effective marketing and CRM strategies, a double-digit comp in our salon business, and a 55% comparable sales increase in our e-commerce business.”

Source: Retailing Today