Ulta Beauty (Bolingbrook, Illinois) benefited from double-digit traffic growth, according to CEO Mary Dillon, in part due to its 17 million active loyalty program members.
Dillon added, "As a result of our financial performance in the third quarter and our position of strength heading into the holiday season, we are raising our guidance and now expect our 2015 full year earnings growth rate to be in the low twenties.”
Previously: Prestige Brands Missing Out on Ulta?
E-commerce sales grew 56.3% to $46.2 million (2014: $29.6 million).
For the third quarter, Ulta's sales rose 22.1% to $910.7 million, up from 2014's $745.7 million. Net income increased 20.2% to $71.1 million (2014: $59.1 million).
Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 12.8%, compared to an increase of 9.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Both transactions and average ticket sizes grew.
Retail comparable sales increased 10.9%, while salon sales increased 20.0% to $51.7 million (2014: $43.1 million). E-commerce sales grew 56.3% to $46.2 million (2014: $29.6 million).
Nine-month net sales rose 21.1% to $2,655.8 million from $2,193.7 million (2014).
Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 11.4% compared to an increase of 9.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2014. Growth was seen in average ticket and number of transactions.
Retail comparable sales increased 9.9%, including salon comparable sales growth of 10.4%. Salon sales increased 20.1% to $154.7 million from $128.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014. E-commerce comparable sales grew 50.2% to $126.3 million from $84.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.
Real estate activity in the first nine months of 2015 included 89 new stores, four relocations and four remodels compared to 90 new stores, two relocations and nine remodels in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.
Operating income increased 23.4% to $336.8 million, or 12.7% of net sales, compared to $272.9 million, or 12.4% of net sales, in the first nine months of fiscal 2014. Net income increased 24.9% to $212.2 million compared to $169.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.