2020 ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
NET SALES (IN MILLIONS)
$4,854.7
$5,884.5
$6,716.6
$7,398.1
$6,152.0
$8000
$7000
$6000
$5000
$4000
$3000
$2000
$1000
$0
STORE COUNT
1260
1060
860
660
460
260
60
-40
STORE COUNT
BY STATES
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
974
1,074
1,174
1,254
1,264
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
34
17
6
9
15
14
156
30
3
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
22
3
30
10
156
26
17
3
86
38
1
7
49
3
21
3
17
49
3
27
44
30
34
19
10
20
48
55
24
43
7
15
27
22
10
25
10
18
20
38
86
3
3
5
13
21
117
26
3
7
4
4
9
55
24
10
13
15
18
3
27
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
21
48
19
10
25
6
5
15
7
42
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
7
49
34
3
43
21
17
44
3
20
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
3
27
117
14
1
30
34
7
20
3
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
$14
$12
$10
$8
$6
$4
$2
$0
$8.96
$6.52
$10.94
$12.15
$3.11
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
FISCAL YEAR ENDED(1)
(In thousands, except per share, per square foot and store count data)
Statement of Operations:
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Impairment, restructuring and other costs
Pre-opening expenses
Operating income
Interest expense (income), net
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense (4)
Net income
Net income per common share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
Other operating data:
Comparable sales (5)
Number of stores end of year
Total square footage end of year
Total square footage per store (6)
Average total square footage (7)
Capital expenditures
Depreciation and amortization
Repurchase of common shares
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Working capital
Property and equipment, net
Total assets (8)
Operating lease liabilities (8)
Total stockholders’ equity
January 30, 2021
February 1, 2020
February 2, 2019(2)
February 3, 2018(3)
$
6,151,953 $
7,398,068 $
6,716,615 $
5,884,506 $
January 28, 2017
4,854,737
4,202,794
1,949,159
1,583,017
114,322
15,000
236,820
5,735
231,085
55,250
4,717,004
2,681,064
1,760,716
–
19,254
901,094
(5,056)
906,150
200,205
4,307,304
2,409,311
1,535,464
–
19,767
854,080
(5,061)
859,141
200,582
3,787,697
2,096,809
1,287,232
–
24,286
785,291
(1,568)
786,859
231,625
3,107,508
1,747,229
1,073,834
–
18,571
654,824
(890)
655,714
245,954
175,835 $
705,945 $
658,559 $
555,234 $
409,760
3.12 $
3.11 $
12.21 $
12.15 $
11.00 $
10.94 $
9.02 $
8.96 $
6.55
6.52
56,351
56,558
57,840
58,105
59,864
60,181
61,556
61,975
62,519
62,851
(17.9%)
1,264
13,291,838
10,516
13,260,705
5.0%
1,254
13,193,076
10,521
12,804,988
8.1%
1,174
12,337,145
10,509
11,893,413
11.0%
1,074
11,300,920
10,522
10,742,874
15.8%
974
10,271,184
10,545
9,641,367
151,866 $
298,534 $
319,400 $
440,714 $
373,747
297,772 $
295,599 $
279,472 $
252,713 $
210,295
114,895 $
680,979 $
616,194 $
367,581 $
344,275
1,046,051 $
392,325 $
409,251 $
277,445 $
385,010
–
1,171,064
995,795
5,089,969
1,896,801
1,999,549
110,000
918,056
1,205,524
4,863,872
1,938,347
1,902,094
–
1,091,125
1,226,029
3,191,172
–
1,820,218
120,000
1,051,577
1,189,453
2,908,687
–
1,774,217
30,000
1,006,894
1,004,358
2,551,878
–
1,550,218
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) Our fiscal year-end is the Saturday closest to January 31 based on a 52/53 week year. Each fiscal year consists of four 13 week quarters, with an extra week added onto the fourth
quarter every five or six years.
(2) The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective transition
method in fiscal 2018. Results from fiscal years prior to fiscal 2018 have not been recast for the adoption of ASC 606.
(3) Fiscal 2017 includes 53 weeks; all other fiscal years reported include 52 weeks. Net sales for the 53rd week of fiscal 2017 were approximately $108.8 million.
(4) On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law. This new legislation reduced the federal corporate tax rate to 21.0% effective January 1, 2018. In
accordance with Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company utilized a blended rate of 33.7% for the fiscal 2017 tax year, by applying a prorated percentage of the
number of days prior to and subsequent to the January 1, 2018 effective date. Income tax expense in fiscal 2018 reflects the lower federal tax rate for the entire fiscal year.
(5) Comparable sales reflects sales for stores beginning on the first day of the 14th month of operation. Remodeled stores are included in comparable sales unless the store was
closed for a portion of the current or comparable prior year.
(6) Total square footage per store is calculated by dividing total square footage at end of year by number of stores at end of year.
(7) Average total square footage represents a weighted average, which reflects the effect of opening stores in different months throughout the year.
(8) The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), on February 3, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing and
measuring leases without revising comparative period information or disclosures.
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Dear Fellow Shareholder,
As we all know, 2020 was a year unlike any other but the Ulta Beauty team navigated through the disruption with agility and strength. Net sales
for the year were $6.2 billion, total company comparable sales decreased 17.9%, and diluted earnings per share totaled $3.11. Despite the broad
challenges, Ulta Beauty gained share in the U.S. prestige beauty market, specifically in key categories such as makeup, skincare and fragrance.
Looking back on the year, it’s clear that the COVID-19 pandemic had far-reaching implications on all facets of our business. Still, I am incredibly
proud of how our team kept the safety of our associates and guests at the center of every decision we made. As the COVID-19 crisis escalated,
we made the decision to temporarily close all of our stores on March 19. Reflecting heightened guest focus on safety and social distancing, our
digital and store teams moved quickly to support our digital business and on April 19, we launched a new touchless curbside pickup option for
our guests. Following guidance from state and local health officials, we started a phased store reopening process on May 11, and by July 20, the
full fleet of Ulta Beauty stores was operational. As we reopened stores for retail, we implemented new Shop Safe Standards to help guests feel
confident and comfortable shopping in our stores. While store traffic was challenged and capacity was limited throughout most of 2020, we
are incredibly pleased with guest engagement in our e-commerce operations. As a result of the strong utilization of buy online, pick up in store
(BOPIS), curbside and ship-to-home offerings, our digital business doubled in 2020.
In response to the pandemic and evolving operating environment, we introduced six strategic priorities to accelerate efforts to expand our market
share gains and extend our competitive advantages. I’m pleased to report that we made great progress in each area.
Transform our business to win in an omnichannel world
We believe that the successful retailers of the future will bring together the physical, digital and emotional components of the shopping
experience. There is an increased blurring of lines between channels, as shoppers buy online and pick up in store and buy online in store
for delivery to their home. To continue to evolve with guest behavior, we are investing in omnichannel capabilities to build a seamless guest
experience, enabling us to interact and engage with guests in whatever channel they choose.
The in-store experience remains core to the Ulta Beauty value proposition because it continues to be the preferred channel for beauty enthusiasts
to engage in trial and discovery. After temporarily suspending our new store opening program in response to COVID-19, we resumed new store
openings in early August and opened 30 new stores during 2020. We plan to open 40 net new stores in 2021 and are confident that we can
ultimately operate between 1,500 to 1,700 Ulta Beauty stores in the U.S.
During 2020, we quickly shifted our focus to support the increased demand in our e-commerce channel. We expanded our e-commerce
fulfillment capabilities, which included pulling forward the opening of our Jacksonville fast fulfillment center, expanding e-commerce operations
in existing distribution centers, and expanding our ship-from-store program to 115 stores. We were also very pleased to see that a large number
of previously in-store-only members engaged with us online for the first time. At the end of fiscal 2020, our mix of omnichannel members nearly
doubled to 23% of members.
We also announced an exciting partnership with Target Corporation. In the fall of 2021, we will introduce Ulta Beauty at Target, a shop-in-shop
experience online and in about 100 Target locations, with plans to scale to hundreds more over time. As another pillar in our omnichannel strategy,
we are excited to engage new guests through this new distribution point and drive even greater member loyalty and engagement in the
Ulta Beauty brand.
Reimagine guest experience and discovery
Based on our consumer insights research, we know that beauty enthusiasts love to physically discover and try beauty products, but we also know
concerns about personal safety due to COVID-19 required the experience to change. Given an increased focus on health and safety, we restricted
the use of testers in our stores, but we kept most testers on the sales floor to help guests visualize color, texture and packaging. We leaned into
our digital tools and accelerated our virtual try-on capabilities to support the shopping experience. Starting with GLAMLab, our augmented
reality tool within the Ulta Beauty app and on ulta.com, we expanded the number of SKUs available to test, launched virtual try-on for hair, lash
and brow, and introduced new QR codes on select shelf strips in store that take guests directly into the GLAMLab experience, making it even
easier for guests to virtually try on products in store. As a result, engagement in GLAMLab increased seven times during 2020, with about 100
million shades tried on virtually across our major categories. We also introduced a skin analysis tool, which uses augmented reality technology
and artificial intelligence to assess skincare needs and offer personalized product recommendations.
Drive winning category strategies
At the core of Ulta Beauty’s differentiation strategy is a unique and diverse beauty assortment across all major categories and price points. With
more than 25,000 SKUs from more than 600 brand partners, the depth and breadth of our assortment is unrivaled, providing guests the ability
to curate their assortment based on their preference.
Reflecting the impact from COVID-19 on broader self-care and wellness trends, we leaned into categories like skincare, haircare, fragrance and
bath. Our merchandising team also continued to drive newness to excite guests, launching new brands during 2020 in every major category,
including brands like KVD Vegan Beauty, Hourglass, L’Occitane, Josie Maran, Urban Hydration, Beekman 1802, Briogeo, Melanin, and
Kreyol Essence.
We launched Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™, an initiative intended to help guide guests to brands and products that reflect their personal
values. Through this initiative, we certify brands across four key pillars: clean ingredients, cruelty-free, vegan, and sustainable packaging. We
also highlight brands whose philanthropic efforts are critical to their DNA through the positive impact pillar. By the end of 2020, more than
230 brands were certified in the Conscious Beauty program, with more than 150 brands certified in more than one pillar. In conjunction with this
launch, we established sustainable packaging goals with a pledge to ensure 50% of all packaging sold will be made from recycled or bio-sourced
materials or will be recyclable or refillable by 2025.
The makeup category was challenged in 2020 given shifts in consumer behavior related to COVID-19 and delays in planned newness and
innovation. However, I am confident that cosmetics will return to growth given the strong emotional connection consumers have with the
category, particularly as a form of self-expression, and as the return of social occasions drives more makeup consumption.
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Drive next level loyalty and personalization
One of Ulta Beauty’s strongest assets is our world-class loyalty program, which accounted for more than 94% of our sales in fiscal 2020 and
allows us to drive targeted communications to our members. Given that most of our members shop in-store only, coupled with the challenges of
in-store traffic related to COVID-19, we expected that membership levels would decline in 2020, particularly among our less tenured members.
Still, we ended the year with 30.7 million members, deployed targeted, successful strategies to reactivate lapsed members, and maintained strong
engagement with our Platinum and Diamond members.
We also progressed on our journey of deepening Ulta Beauty brand love. Under The Possibilities are Beautiful brand platform, we introduced new
creative entitled See Beautiful Today to encourage people to embrace the beauty around them in everyday moments and shine a light on the human
moments of self-care, togetherness and joy happening all around us. We further built upon that work with the Where Dreams Begin and See the
Joy campaigns and later debuted our MUSE campaign, a program that celebrates, elevates and empowers the Black beauty community to help
drive access and equity in the beauty industry.
Drive holistic cost optimization and capability building
We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to evolve our thinking about how we operate our business. During 2020, we took several
steps to re-shape our organization and be more efficient and effective with serving our guests. We continued to execute on our multi-year
Efficiencies For Growth (EFG) cost optimization program, making great progress in areas across merchandising, real estate and supply chain. We
permanently closed 19 stores to strengthen our overall portfolio and suspended our planned expansion into Canada to prioritize our focus on the
U.S. growth opportunity. We delivered profitability improvements through promotional effectiveness, reducing the frequency of certain promotions
and refining our promotional strategies to be more strategic, all while leveraging our customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities to
be more targeted with offers. We also took steps to reset our cost structure. We realigned our store management structure to create a more
cost-efficient store model. We eliminated certain roles in our corporate and field management organization, while introducing a number of new
positions in key investment areas. While many of these decisions were difficult, I believe these actions will position Ulta Beauty for continued short
and long-term success.
Develop our talent and strengthen our culture
At Ulta Beauty, we pride ourselves on maintaining a winning culture that is guest-centric, values-based, and high performance. It starts with taking
care of our associates and retaining talent who passionately serve our guests and are committed to making Ulta Beauty the most loved beauty
destination. To help support our associates through the COVID-19 crisis, we expanded the criteria for our Associate Relief Program to include
those who needed assistance due to a personal hardship. We also continued to make a positive difference in the communities where we live
and work, contributing more than $5.5 million through our partnerships with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Save the Children®
and Dress for Success®.
Given the events that unfolded throughout 2020, addressing racial and social injustice has become more important than ever. Diversity and
inclusion (D&I) are at the heart of what Ulta Beauty stands for. At the end of fiscal 2020, 91% of our associates were women and 46% of our
associates were people of color. Of our leadership team, 64% was female and 18% were people of color. During 2020, we proudly unveiled our
D&I commitments with a focus on brand amplification and support, assortment growth, and equitable, welcoming guest and associate experiences.
The commitments reflect a planned investment of more than $25 million in fiscal 2021 to support multi-cultural platforms and awareness of
black-owned brands. We published our first ESG report, sharing our efforts and commitments in four key pillars: People, Product, Community
and the Environment. While we are early in our journey, I am proud of the progress we have made in these areas, particularly as it relates to
diversity and inclusion. You can find our report on our investor relations website: http://ir.ultabeauty.com/Corporate-Responsibility
As previously announced, after almost eight years with the company, I will transition to a new role as Executive Chair of our Board of Directors.
I am extremely confident about the future of Ulta Beauty and I believe the time is right for me and for our company to make this change. I am
especially thrilled to announce that Dave Kimbell, President, will become Ulta Beauty’s next Chief Executive Officer. Dave’s passion for Ulta Beauty
is truly unmatched, and I believe there is no one more prepared or better suited to unlock even more beautiful possibilities for our guests and our
associates. In addition, Kecia Steelman will be elevated to the role of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing store and services operations, supply
chain, Ulta Beauty at Target, and other key initiatives. Dave and Kecia will lead alongside our world-class executive team to drive the next phase of
growth for Ulta Beauty.
In closing, I cannot begin to express how much serving as the CEO of Ulta Beauty has been the highlight of my career. I want to extend my sincere
appreciation to all of our Ulta Beauty associates and our Board of Directors for their commitment and passion for their work.
Sincerely,
Mary N. Dillon
Chief Executive Officer
March 2021
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021
or
☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________
Commission File Number: 001 - 33764
ULTA BEAUTY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
1000 Remington Blvd., Suite 120
Bolingbrook, Illinois
(Address of principal executive offices)
38 - 4022268
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
60440
(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (630) 410 - 4800
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading symbol
ULTA
Name of each exchange on which registered
The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or
emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth
company” in Rule 12b - 2 of the Exchange Act.:
Large Accelerated Filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any
new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal
control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that
prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b - 2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the common stock on July
31, 2020, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was approximately $8,127,797,000.
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of March 22, 2021 was 56,205,592 shares.
Information required in response to Part III of Form 10 - K is hereby incorporated by reference from portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for
the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the
registrant’s fiscal year ended January 30, 2021.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Forward Looking Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I
Item 1.
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A.
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2.
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4A.
Executive Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . .
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . .
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B.
Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11.
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
13
23
24
25
25
25
26
29
30
43
44
44
44
44
45
45
45
45
45
46
83
84
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
References in this Annual Report on Form 10 - K to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Ulta Beauty,” the “Company” and similar
references mean Ulta Beauty, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context
otherwise requires.
This Annual Report on Form 10 - K 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,” “targets,” “strategies” or other comparable words. Any forward-looking
statements contained in this Form 10 - K 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, targets, strategies, or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation:
• The negative impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have on our business, financial
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
condition, profitability, cash flows and supply chain, as well as consumer spending (including future uncertain
impacts);
epidemics, pandemics like COVID-19 or natural disasters that have and could continue to negatively impact
sales;
changes in the overall level of consumer spending and volatility in the economy, including as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic and/or government aid programs;
a decline in operating results that has and may continue to lead to asset impairment and store closure charges;
our ability to sustain our growth plans and successfully implement our long-range strategic and financial plan;
our ability to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner;
the possibility that we may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets;
our ability to execute our Efficiencies for Growth cost optimization program;
the possibility that cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information or result in
the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information;
the possibility of material disruptions to our information systems;
the possibility that the capacity of our distribution and order fulfillment infrastructure and the performance of
our distribution centers and fast fulfillment centers may not be adequate to support our expected future growth
plans;
changes in the wholesale cost of our products;
the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues;
our ability to attract and retain key executive personnel;
our ability to successfully execute our common stock repurchase program or implement future common stock
repurchase programs; and
other risk factors detailed in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC),
including risk factors contained in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10 - K for the year
ended January 30, 2021, as such may be amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports
on Form 10 - Q.
Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
1
Item 1. Business
Overview
Part I
Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the United States and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance,
skin care products, hair care products, and salon services. We provide unmatched product breadth, value, and
convenience in a distinctive specialty retail environment. Key aspects of our business include:
Shopping Experience. Our guests can satisfy all of their beauty needs at Ulta Beauty. Our stores, website, and
mobile applications offer more than 25,000 products from more than 600 well-established and emerging beauty
brands across a variety of categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label, the Ulta
Beauty Collection. Our bright and open store environment and easy to shop website and mobile applications
encourage our guests to discover new products and services. We believe we offer the widest selection of beauty
categories, including prestige and mass cosmetics, fragrance, haircare, prestige and mass skincare, bath and
body products, professional hair products, and salon styling tools. We also offer a full-service salon in every
store featuring hair, skin, makeup, and brow services.
Value Proposition. We believe our focus on delivering a compelling value proposition to our guests across all
of our product categories drives guest loyalty. We offer a comprehensive loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards,
and target communications and promotions through our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform.
We also offer frequent promotions and coupons, in-store events, and gifts with purchase.
Convenience. Today, we offer guests a variety of ways to shop for beauty, including in our stores, through our
mobile applications, and on ulta.com. We also provide convenient fulfillment options including buy online
pick-up in store, buy online pickup curbside, ship from store, and ship to home. Our stores are predominantly
located in convenient, high-traffic locations such as power strip centers. Our typical store is approximately
10,000 square feet, including approximately 950 square feet dedicated to our full-service salon. Our store
design, fixtures, and open layout provide the flexibility to respond to consumer trends and changes in our
merchandising strategy. As of January 30, 2021, we operated 1,264 retail stores across 50 states, as well as an
e- commerce website and mobile applications.
We were founded in 1990 as a beauty retailer at a time when prestige, mass, and salon products were sold through
distinct channels — department stores for prestige products; drug stores and mass merchandisers for mass products; and
salons and authorized retail outlets for professional hair care products. We developed a unique specialty retail concept
that offers a broad range of brands and price points, a compelling value proposition, and a convenient and welcoming
shopping environment. We define our target consumer as a beauty enthusiast, a consumer who is passionate about the
beauty category and has high expectations for the shopping experience. We estimate that beauty enthusiasts represent
approximately 57% of shoppers and 77% of spend in the U.S. beauty category.
The following description of our business should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Item 7 and our
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10 - K.
Our strategy
We target beauty enthusiasts across multiple demographics and shopping behaviors. Beauty enthusiasts have a deep
emotional connection with beauty, and historically, this connection has not diminished in softer economic environments.
Our proprietary consumer research confirms engagement with the beauty category remains strong, but the unprecedented
challenges faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely have sustained effects on the category. Health and
safety concerns are elevated, consumers have quickly adopted new shopping behaviors, operating costs are increasing,
and many retailers have faced financial challenges, resulting in increased store closures.
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Recognizing the impact these changes will have on the beauty category, we intend to leverage the strengths of our
operating model and investments to position Ulta Beauty for continued success post-COVID. Specifically, we are
focused on accelerating efforts in the following key areas to expand our long-term market share gains and extend our
competitive advantages.
Build omnichannel operations that more deeply connects guests across channels. Our guest insights and loyalty
program member data confirm that our guests prefer to transact in physical stores, where they can discover and interact
with products and other beauty enthusiasts. In addition, our guests are increasingly engaging online to research, discover
new products, and purchase. Our omnichannel guests are extremely valuable, spending nearly three times more than
retail-only guests. To drive increased guest engagement across all channels, we are leveraging a multifaceted approach to
communicate, engage, and transact, and we are expanding our fulfillment capabilities, including buy online and pickup
in-store and curbside pickup. Our vision is to offer industry-leading omnichannel experiences that engage our guests and
unlock the combined potential of our physical and digital channels.
Reimagine how guests experience and discover Beauty. Beauty enthusiasts value the human connection and the
physical experience of beauty. The Ulta Beauty guest experience is differentiated by our broad array of categories,
brands, and price points, immersive digital tools, multiple shopping options, high quality services, and friendly, well-
trained associates. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased focus on personal safety and impacted how guests test
products and experience beauty. As a result, we are reimagining the guest experience and product discovery process and
exploring ways technology, services, and the role of our associates can evolve to deliver fun, interactive, easy, and
functional experiences for our guests. Our vision is to become the most loved destination for beauty enthusiasts by
reimagining the end-to-end guest experience, facilitating inspiration, discovery, and experimentation, and serving as a
trusted guide, regardless of channel.
Drive market share growth through the deployment of winning category strategies. Assortment is the center of our
value proposition and represents a core differentiator within the market. We engage beauty enthusiasts to discover and
play across all categories with an enticing assortment focused on innovation and leading trends, differentiation and
exclusivity, and speed to market. We believe our broad selection of merchandise across categories, price points, and
brands offer a unique shopping experience for our guests. Guests can find everything they need in one shopping trip with
our offering of more than 600 brands, eliminating the need to go to multiple departments stores, specialty stores, salons,
drug stores, mass merchandisers, and pure play e-commerce companies that may sell the same or similar products.
Because of our broad array of categories, brands, and price points, we appeal to a wide range of consumers of all ages,
demographics, and lifestyles. We continue to change our assortment to reflect evolving beauty trends and innovation and
to meet our guests’ desire for new products. Our vision is to engage and delight beauty enthusiasts with a curated beauty
assortment focused on exclusivity and leading trends.
Deepen Ulta Beauty love and loyalty. We have 30.7 million active Ulta Beauty members enrolled in our Ultamate
Rewards loyalty program. Loyalty member transactions represent more than 94% of our annual total net sales, and our
data demonstrates that loyalty members shop with higher frequency and spend more per visit as compared to non-
members. While recent disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted recent member growth, we believe we
can expand Ulta Beauty’s reach, relevancy, and engagement with our guests by evolving the value proposition of our
Ultamate Rewards program, increasing total membership in the program, building strategic partnerships that create
incremental value for our guests, and using our customer data to deliver personalized member experiences. Our vision is
to continue to innovate and integrate the Ultamate Rewards program in meaningful ways and personalize the guest
experience across all touchpoints to create stronger member connection, engagement, and loyalty.
Drive holistic cost optimization. Similar to other retailers, we are experiencing cost pressures from macroeconomic
trends, including rising wage rates and higher transportation and shipping costs. In addition, we are managing ongoing
headwinds from channel and category mix shifts. Through our cost optimization program, Efficiencies For Growth, we
are targeting and delivering cost savings in four work streams: category performance improvement, indirect
procurement, end-to-end operations, and real estate. As we look forward, we are moving beyond process optimization to
develop a cost structure that will enable us to weather future economic challenges while also supporting investments for
future growth. Our vision is to deliver profitable growth and competitive advantage by optimizing our cost structure to
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enable scale and growth, developing agile operating processes that support rapid testing, learning and implementation,
and building new capabilities tailored to win in a rapidly evolving omnichannel world.
Develop our talent and strengthen our culture. Leadership, culture, and engagement of our associates are key drivers of
our performance. We have developed and sustained a world-class, guest-centric, values-based, high performance culture.
We have an experienced management team that brings a creative merchandising approach and a disciplined operating
philosophy to our business. We believe that beauty is for everyone, regardless of age, size, ability, skin tone, culture, or
gender. Our vision is to provide an environment where every associate feels they can fully contribute and realize their
full potential.
Our market
We operate within the large U.S. beauty products and salon services industry. In 2020, this market represented
approximately $150 billion in sales, according to forecasted Euromonitor International and IBIS World Inc. In 2020, the
beauty products industry totaled approximately $92 billion and included cosmetics, haircare, fragrance, bath and body,
skincare, salon styling tools, and other toiletries. We estimate that Ulta Beauty had only a 7% share of the $92 billion
beauty product industry. Within this market, we compete across all major categories as well as a range of price points by
offering prestige, mass, and salon products. Our assortment strategy is built to maximize our opportunity in this industry.
In 2020, the salon services industry totaled approximately $58 billion and included hair, skin, and nail services. We
estimate that Ulta Beauty had less than 1% share of this industry. We have full-service hair salons and skin services in
substantially every store and operate brow bars in most of our stores, as well as makeup services through our salons. Due
to COVID-19 related restrictions, we were unable to offer skin and makeup services for most of fiscal 2020. We have
plans to resume services as soon as it is safe to do so.
Although our business was impacted by temporary store closures due to COVID-19, our research indicates that Ulta
Beauty continues to increase market share across most prestige beauty categories in the overall U.S. market. COVID-19
and its various impacts have changed consumer behavior and consumption of beauty products due to the closures of
offices, retail stores and other businesses and the significant decline in social gatherings. In addition, beauty cycles are
impacted by demographics, trends, and product innovation. While demographic trends continue to be favorable, we
believe a lack of incremental product innovation has resulted in a challenging cycle for the cosmetics category, as
innovation brought to the market has not resulted in incremental product purchases. Despite the overall beauty market
decline in 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts, we expect the beauty category will return to growth as consumers recover
from the impacts of COVID-19, and we remain confident that our differentiated and diverse business model, our
commitment to strategic investments, and our highly engaged associates will continue to drive market share gains for
Ulta Beauty.
Competition
Our major competitors for prestige and mass products include traditional department stores, specialty stores, drug stores,
mass merchandisers, and the online capabilities of national retailers and brands, as well as pure-play e-commerce
companies. The market for salon services and products is highly fragmented. Our competitors for salon services and
products include chain and independent salons.
Our retail channels
We are committed to meeting guests where and how they want to shop and strive to offer guests a compelling shopping
experience through our stores, website, and mobile applications.
4
Stores. Our retail stores are predominantly located in convenient, high-traffic locations such as power strip centers. Our
typical store is approximately 10,000 square feet, including approximately 950 square feet dedicated to our full-service
salon. Our retail store concept, including physical layout, displays, lighting, and quality of finishes, has evolved over
time to reflect the rising expectations of our guests and to keep pace with our merchandising and operating strategies.
We offer a full range of services in all of our stores, focusing on hair, skin, makeup, and brow services. Our current Ulta
Beauty store format includes an open and modern salon area and a skin treatment room or dedicated skin treatment area
on the sales floor. In addition, most of our stores offer brow services on the sales floor. The salon features a concierge
desk, approximately five to ten stations, and a shampoo and hair color processing area. We employ highly skilled,
licensed professional stylists and estheticians who offer services as well as educational experiences, including
consultations, styling lessons, makeup applications, skincare regimens, and at-home care recommendations. Due to
COVID-19 restrictions, we operated at approximately 50% capacity for salon and brow services and were unable to offer
skin and makeup services for most of fiscal 2020. We have plans to resume skin and makeup services as soon as it is safe
to do so.
During our fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 (fiscal 2020), 74% of new stores opened in existing shopping centers and
26% opened in new shopping centers. Almost all new stores were opened in existing markets compared to new markets.
As of January 30, 2021, we operated 1,264 stores across 50 states. During the first half of fiscal 2020, new store activity
was temporarily paused due to COVID-19. New store openings resumed in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.
In addition to opening new stores, we also remodeled, relocated, or refreshed (in-store fixtures and merchandising
upgrades) certain stores, as shown in the following table:
Fiscal year ended
January 30, February 1, February 2,
2021
2020
2019
Total stores beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores opened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores closed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stores end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,254
30
(20)
1,264
1,174
86
(6)
1,254
1,074
107
(7)
1,174
Total square footage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average square footage per store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13,291,838 13,193,076
10,521
10,516
12,337,145
10,509
Stores remodeled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores relocated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores refreshed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
–
5
–
12
8
240
13
2
109
Our real estate vision is to make Ulta Beauty accessible and convenient to more consumers across a variety of markets, a
key driver of how we plan to expand our market share over time. We believe that over the long term, we have the
potential to grow our store footprint to between 1,500 to 1,700 Ulta Beauty stores in the United States. We plan to
further penetrate existing suburban markets, expand our presence in small markets, and further develop urban markets.
Our rigorous analytical approach to site selection has translated into a high performing real estate portfolio. The average
investment required to open a new Ulta Beauty store is approximately $1.4 million, which includes capital investments,
net of landlord contributions, pre-opening expenses, and initial inventory, net of payables. Our net investment required to
open new stores and the net sales generated by new stores may vary depending on a number of factors, including
geographic location.
Digital platform. In addition to store expansion, we continue to expand our digital capabilities. Our e-commerce
platform has two key roles: generating direct channel sales and profits by communicating with our guests in an
interactive, enjoyable way that reinforces the Ulta Beauty brand; and driving traffic to our stores, website, and native
applications. Our omnichannel guests are extremely valuable, historically spending nearly three times as much as retail-
only guests. We continue to develop and add new website and mobile features and functionality, marketing programs,
5
new products and brands, and omnichannel integration points. We intend to establish ourselves as a leading online
beauty resource by providing our guests with a rich online experience for information on key trends and products,
editorial content, expanded assortments, interactive experiences, including virtual try-on capabilities, and social media
content.
We continue to improve our order fulfillment capabilities with increased speed of delivery through existing distribution
centers, fast fulfillment centers (e-commerce only), select retail stores, and more efficient processes designed for
e- commerce order fulfillment. To support our e-commerce operations, during 2020 we opened the Jacksonville fast
fulfillment center, expanded e-commerce operations in the Chambersburg, Greenwood and Dallas distribution centers,
and expanded the ship-from-store program to 115 stores. These investments have increased our e-commerce shipping
capacity and improved delivery speed to guests.
Our omnichannel capabilities such as “Buy Online, Pick-up in Store” and “Store 2 Door,” which provides the ability for
customers to order in-store and have products delivered to their homes, are available in all stores. In response to COVID-
related constraints, in fiscal 2020 our digital and store teams launched a new curbside pickup option for guests. We also
expanded our store locator functionality to include greater visibility to store specific service offerings, in-store and
curbside hours, and to communicate the opening status of local stores. In the Ulta app, we now provide store-specific
occupancy levels for greater transparency and guest safety.
Partnerships
In support of our strategic priorities, we have formed a long-term partnership with Target Corporation to create Ulta
Beauty at Target, a “shop-in-shop” concept that will offer a limited assortment of established and emerging prestige
brands online and in approximately 100 Target locations beginning in the second half of 2021 (with plans to scale to
hundreds more over time).
Merchandising
Strategy
We offer one of the most extensive product and brand selections in our industry, including a broad assortment of branded
and private label beauty products in cosmetics, fragrance, haircare, skincare, bath and body products, and salon styling
tools. A typical Ulta Beauty store carries more than 25,000 products from more than 600 well-established and emerging
beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label, the Ulta Beauty
Collection. We present these products in an open-sell environment using centrally produced planograms (detailed
schematics showing product placement in the store) and promotional merchandising planners. Our merchandising team
continually monitors beauty and fashion trends, historical sales trends, and new product launches to keep Ulta Beauty’s
product assortment fresh and relevant and to ensure that our assortment reflects the diversity of our guests. We believe
our broad selection of merchandise, from moderate-priced brands to higher-end prestige brands, creates a unique
shopping experience for our guests.
Certain beauty enthusiast consumer groups are growing more interested in choosing products that will support their
overall health and wellness. These groups are focused on the connection between their own personal well-being and the
well-being of workers, animals, communities, and the environment, and they are increasingly supporting brands whose
products and actions align with their own values. Reflecting this growing importance of these trends, in fiscal 2020 we
launched Conscious Beauty at Ulta BeautyTM in all stores, on Ulta.com and on our app. This holistic initiative provides
transparency for guests to help them choose brands and products that reflect their personal values and individual needs.
Through this initiative, we are certifying brands across four key pillars: Clean Ingredients, Cruelty Free, Vegan, and
Sustainable Packaging. We also highlight brands whose philanthropic efforts are critical to their business through the
positive impact pillar. Displayed in stores on an endcap constructed of recycled and recyclable materials, the program
launched with 187 brands. As of January 30, 2021, more than 230 brands participated in the program, with more than
half certified in more than one pillar. As part of the launch, we published our “Made Without List,” an evolving
ingredient standard for clean beauty products, and established the Conscious Beauty Advisory Council, a coalition of
experts at the forefront of clean beauty, product development, and packaging sustainability. With the help of our
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Advisory Council, we will ensure that Conscious Beauty at Ulta BeautyTM will continue to evolve and grow as
expectations and standards for clean beauty continue to change.
We believe our private label, the Ulta Beauty Collection, is a strategically important opportunity for growth and profit
contribution. Our objective is to provide quality, trend-right private label products to continue to strengthen our guests’
perception of Ulta Beauty as a contemporary beauty destination. Ulta Beauty manages the full development cycle of
these products from concept through production to deliver differentiated packaging and formulas that enhance our brand
image. The Ulta Beauty Collection has been certified in the Clean Ingredients and Cruelty Free pillars within the
Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™ program. We also offer products such as Tarte Double Duty Beauty cosmetics, IT
Brushes for Ulta Beauty, and CHI for Ulta Beauty hair care appliances that are permanently exclusive to Ulta Beauty.
Similarly, we offer a number of products that are exclusive for a limited period of time or are offered in advance of our
competitors, such as Morphe, Colourpop, Pattern, and Florence. The Ulta Beauty Collection and permanent Ulta Beauty
exclusive products represented approximately 5.5% of our total net sales in fiscal 2020. Both permanent and temporary
exclusive products represented approximately 13.5% of our total net sales in fiscal 2020.
Categories
We offer a balanced portfolio across five primary categories: (1) cosmetics; (2) skincare, bath, and fragrance;
(3) haircare products and styling tools; (4) services; and (5) other, which includes nail products, accessories, other
revenue sources such as the private label and co-branded credit card programs, and deferred revenue related to the
loyalty program and gift card breakage.
The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of net sales attributed to each category for the periods
presented:
(Percentage of net sales)
Cosmetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skincare, bath, and fragrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Haircare products and styling tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other (nail products, accessories, and other) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021
2020
2019
44%
28%
20%
3%
5%
100%
50%
22%
19%
5%
4%
100%
51%
21%
19%
5%
4%
100%
January 30, February 1, February 2,
Fiscal year ended
Organization
Our merchandising team consists of a Chief Merchandising Officer who oversees the Senior Vice President of Cosmetics
and category Vice Presidents who in turn oversee Divisional Merchandise Managers and their teams of buyers. Our
Chief Merchandising Officer also oversees our centralized merchandise planning and forecasting group to ensure
consistent execution across our store base and e-commerce platform and our planogram team. Our planogram team
assists the merchants and inventory teams to keep new products flowing into stores on a timely basis. All major product
categories undergo planogram revisions on a regular basis, and adjustments are made to assortment mix and product
placement based on current sales trends.
Our visual team works with our merchandising team to develop strategic placement of promotional merchandise,
functional and educational signage, and creative product presentation standards in all of our stores. All stores receive
centrally produced promotional merchandising planners to ensure consistent implementation of our marketing programs.
Planning and allocation
We have developed a disciplined approach to buying and a dynamic inventory planning and allocation process to support
our merchandising strategy. We centrally manage product replenishment to our stores through our merchandise planning
group. This group serves as a strategic partner to, and provides financial oversight of, the merchandising team. The
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merchandising team creates a sales forecast by category for the year. Our merchandise planning group creates an open-
to-buy plan, approved by senior executives, for each product category. The open-to-buy plan is updated weekly with
point-of-sale (POS) data, receipts, and inventory levels and is used throughout the year to balance buying opportunities
and inventory return on investment. We believe this structure maximizes our buying opportunities while maintaining
organizational and financial control. Regularly replenished products are presented consistently in all stores utilizing a
centralized merchandising planogram process. POS data is used to calculate sales forecasts and to determine
replenishment levels. We determine promotional product replenishment levels using sales history from similar or
comparable events. To ensure our inventory remains productive, our planning and replenishment group, along with
senior executives, monitor the levels of clearance and aged inventory in our stores on a weekly basis.
Brand partnerships
We have strong, active relationships with our more than 400 brand partners. Our top ten brand partners, such as Estée
Lauder Companies, L’Oréal, and Shiseido among others, represented approximately 56% and 61% of our total net sales
in fiscal 2020 and our fiscal year ended February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2019), respectively. We believe our brand partners view
us as a significant distribution channel for growth and brand enhancement, and we work closely with them to market
both new and existing brands.
All brand partners and respective subcontractors and their facilities are subject to Ulta Vendor Standards, as applicable,
which set forth the ethical, legal, social, and workplace standards to meet in order to do business with Ulta Beauty. In
addition to complying with Ulta Vendor Standards, many brand partners have committed to help advance our mission to
maintain the beauty of our environment and minimize our impact on the world around us by offering sustainable
packaging.
Marketing and advertising
We employ a multi-faceted marketing strategy to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to our stores, website, and
mobile applications, acquire new loyalty program members, improve guest retention, increase frequency of shopping,
and increase spend per member. We communicate with our guests and prospective guests through multiple vehicles,
including print advertising, digital and social media, and television and radio. These vehicles highlight the breadth of our
selection of prestige, mass and salon beauty products, new products and services, and special offers, as well as build our
emotional connection with guests. Our comprehensive public relations strategy enhances Ulta Beauty’s reputation as a
beauty destination, increases brand awareness, supports our charitable efforts related to the Ulta Beauty Charitable
Foundation, and drives awareness of new products, in-store events, and new store openings.
The Ultamate Rewards loyalty program is an important tool to increase retention of existing guests and to enhance their
loyalty to the Ulta Beauty brand. Our CRM platform enables sophisticated analysis of the customer data in our loyalty
member database as well as greater personalization of our marketing campaigns and day-to-day communications. Our
data demonstrates that loyalty members spend more per visit as compared to non-members. The 30.7 million active
loyalty program members generated approximately 94% of total net sales in fiscal 2020. Ultamate Rewards enables
customers to earn points based on their purchases. Points earned are valid for at least one year and may be redeemed on
any product we sell or service we provide. To enhance our loyalty program, we offer co-branded and private label credit
cards. The credit cards drive higher wallet share and greater loyalty from our rewards members, provide increased
consumer insights, and offer attractive economics. Furthermore, we continue to expand our gift card program to increase
distribution to thousands of retailers through partnerships with third parties.
We are directing a growing percentage of our marketing expense towards digital, social media, and streaming
advertising. We believe these channels are highly effective in communicating with existing guests, as well as reaching
those who have not yet shopped with us. Our marketing program has been effective in communicating with our existing
online, mobile, and retail guests in a targeted and relevant way. Our digital marketing strategy includes search engine
optimization, paid search, mobile advertising, social media, display advertising, and other digital marketing channels.
Digital marketing, coupled with our national TV and radio advertising, has helped us increase brand awareness among
those not familiar with Ulta Beauty, which we believe has resulted in new guests.
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Staffing and operations
Retail stores
Our current Ulta Beauty store format is typically staffed with a general manager, a services manager, and three associate
managers, along with approximately twenty full- and part-time associates, including approximately four to eight prestige
consultants and five to ten licensed salon professionals. The management team in each store reports to the general
manager. The general manager oversees all store activities including salon management, inventory management,
merchandising, cash management, scheduling, hiring, and guest services. Members of store management receive bonuses
depending on their position and based upon various performance metrics. Each general manager reports to a District
Manager, who in turn reports to a Regional Vice President of Operations, who in turn reports to a Senior Vice President
of Stores, who in turn reports to the Chief Store Operations Officer, who in turn reports to the Chief Executive Officer.
Each store team receives additional support from time to time from recruiting specialists for the retail and salon
operations, regionally based talent development managers, a field loss prevention team, service district educators and
service district leaders, and brand partners.
Ulta Beauty stores are open seven days a week, typically eleven hours a day, Monday through Saturday, and seven hours
on Sunday. Our stores have extended hours during the holiday season. Due to COVID-19, for most of fiscal 2020 our
store hours were shortened, on average, to nine hours a day, Monday through Saturday.
Salon services
A typical salon is staffed with five to ten licensed salon professionals, including six or more stylists and one or two
estheticians. Our most productive salons have a guest coordinator and an assistant manager. Our services district
educators and brand partner education classes create a comprehensive educational program for approximately 4,800 Ulta
Beauty salon professionals.
Supply chain
Our vision is to develop an expanded and optimized end-to-end supply chain that improves operational efficiency,
performance, and guest experience. This includes enhanced systems and processes as well as a modernized distribution
center network to support our new store and e-commerce growth. We operate four distribution centers that support both
stores and e-commerce demand, and two fast fulfillment centers that support e-commerce only. In addition, 115 stores
fulfill e-commerce orders as part of our ship-from-store program.
Inventory is shipped from our suppliers to our distribution centers and fast fulfillment centers. We carry more than
25,000 products and replenish our stores with such products primarily in eaches (i.e., less-than-case quantities), which
allows us to ship less than an entire case when only one or two of a particular product is required. Our distribution
centers and fast fulfillment centers use warehouse management software systems to manage inventory to support product
purchase decisions. Product is delivered to stores using a broad network of contract and local pool (final mile) carriers.
Information technology
We are committed to using technology to enhance our competitive position. We depend on a variety of information
systems and technologies (including cloud technologies) to maintain and improve our competitive position and to
manage the operations of our growing store base. We rely on computer systems to provide information for all areas of
our business, including supply chain, merchandising, POS, e-commerce, marketing, finance, accounting, and human
resources. Our core business systems consist mostly of purchased software programs that integrate together and with our
internally developed software solutions. Our technology also includes a company-wide network that connects all
corporate users, stores, and our distribution center infrastructure and provides communications for continual polling of
sales and merchandise movement at the store level.
Our Security Operations Center constantly and proactively monitors our network and application landscape for threats
and anomalies. We have established processes for sharing data and performing third-party risk assessment and regular
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disaster recovery planning and testing. Our security approach also includes multiple layers of defense and testing of
controls. All Ulta Beauty associates have a role as stewards of company data, and we educate them on how to keep data
safe. As part of our annual Code of Business Conduct training, we train associates on how to keep devices and data safe
in public places; how to avoid security threats and phishing scams; how to maintain a secure workplace; and everyday
practices that help maintain the security of corporate digital devices, data and systems.
We intend to leverage our technology infrastructure and systems where appropriate to gain operational efficiencies
through more effective use of our systems, people, and processes. We update the technology supporting our stores,
distribution infrastructure, and corporate headquarters on a regular basis. We will continue to make investments in our
information systems to facilitate growth and enhance our competitive position.
Intellectual property
We have registered trademarks in the United States and other countries. The majority of our trademark registrations
contain the ULTA mark, including Ulta Beauty and two related designs, Ulta.com and Ulta Salon, Cosmetics &
Fragrance (and design). We maintain our marks and monitor filing deadlines for renewal and continued validity. All
marks that are deemed material to our business have been applied for or registered in the United States and select foreign
countries, including Canada, Mexico and other countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
We believe our trademarks, especially those related to the Ulta Beauty brand, “All Things Beauty. All In One Place. ®”,
“The Possibilities are Beautiful®”, “21 Days of Beauty®”, and “Conscious Beauty at Ulta BeautyTM” have significant
value and are important to building brand recognition.
Government regulation
We are affected by extensive laws, governmental regulations, administrative determinations, court decisions, and similar
constraints. Such laws, regulations, and other constraints exist at the federal, state, or local levels in the United States.
The products we sell in our stores, such as cosmetics (including cannabidiol products), dietary supplements, food and
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices, and styling tools, including our Ulta Beauty branded products, may be
subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state regulatory agencies,
and State Attorneys General (State AGs). Such regulations principally relate to the safety, labeling, manufacturing,
advertising, and distribution of the products. In addition, the salon services provided in our stores may be subject to state
and local regulations.
Products classified as cosmetics (as defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act) are not subject to pre-market
approval by the FDA, but the products must generally be safe and must be properly manufactured and labeled. Certain
products, such as sunscreens and acne treatments, are classified as OTC drugs, and certain ingestible products, such as
vitamins and minerals, are classified as dietary supplements. Both OTC drugs and dietary supplements have specific
regulatory requirements, including ingredient, labeling, and manufacturing requirements. Products such as wrinkle
reducing lights may be classified as medical devices and, in addition to being subject to labeling and manufacturing
requirements, may also be subject to premarketing review by the FDA. Finally, products such as styling tools (e.g. blow
dryers and curling irons) are regulated by the CPSC, which has strict requirements including the requirement to report
certain product defects. The labeling and packaging of all of these products may also be subject to the requirements of
the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and state specific requirements.
Further, statements we make in advertising, including statements about the safety or efficacy of products, pricing, and
environmental claims, are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws, which generally prohibit unfair or
deceptive practices.
Labor and employment and taxation laws, to which most retailers are typically subject, also impact our day-to-day
operations. We are also subject to typical governmental and real estate land use restrictions and typical advertising and
consumer protection laws (both federal and state). Our services business is subject to state board regulations and state
licensing requirements.
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In our store leases, we require our landlords to obtain all necessary governmental approvals and permits for the site to be
used as a retail site, and we also ask them to obtain any governmental approvals and permits for our specific use (but at
times the responsibility for obtaining governmental approvals and permits for our specific use falls to us). As applicable,
we require our landlords to deliver a certificate of occupancy for any work they perform on our buildings or the shopping
centers in which our stores are located. If required by the municipality, we are responsible for delivering a certificate of
occupancy for any remodeling or build-outs that we perform and are responsible for complying with all applicable laws
in connection with such construction projects or build-outs.
Human capital management
We believe our associates, with their combined skills, knowledge, experiences, and commitment to serving our guests,
are among our most important resources and are critical to our continued success.
The following table sets forth the approximate number of associates employed as of:
Full-time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part-time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021
16,000
21,000
37,000
January 30,
We have no collective bargaining agreements and have not experienced any work stoppages. We believe we have good
relationships with our associates.
Diversity and inclusion
Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where every associate feels he or she can be his or her authentic self and
every guest is optimally served, regardless of differences. A critical way we achieve this is by educating all associates on
the lived experiences of their peers and key moments in time that have cultural or heritage significance, as well as the
unconscious beliefs and biases that shape our behavior today. We accomplish this through open discussion forums,
interactive educational experiences, and opportunities to engage with our communities.
In addition, we aim to ensure that all in-store experiences are equitable, fair, and unbiased. We take action to support this
goal by conducting mandatory trainings for in-store associates and providing weekly learning opportunities to focus on
guest perspectives and reinforce key takeaways. We offer similar training across the organization to help key decision-
makers and associates in their own learning journeys and support our Champion Diversity value and inclusion
competency.
The following table sets forth key metrics as of January 30, 2021:
Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
People of color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55%
45%
18%
64%
36%
18%
91%
9%
47%
Board of
Directors
Leadership
All Other
Associates
Oversight and management
We strive to make sure that our associates are at the heart of every decision we make. The Chief Human Resources
Officer, along with the entire executive team, is responsible for developing and executing the Company’s human capital
strategy. This includes the attraction, acquisition, development, and engagement of talent and the design of associate
compensation and benefits programs. Our human capital objectives and initiatives, including the risks related to
compensation policies and practices, management development and leadership succession, diversity and inclusion
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policies and practices, and implementation and compliance monitoring of our Code of Business Conduct, are also
overseen by individual Board committees as described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
We believe open and honest two-way communication is critical to maintaining strong associate engagement. Our
executive team reviews associate engagement and satisfaction surveys to monitor associate engagement and satisfaction
with their role, their leader, and the Company as a whole. Our leadership team also hosts roundtable sessions to dive
deeper on specific topics as well as additional forums, including department town halls, store and distribution center
visits, and other small group gatherings.
Training and development
Our success is dependent, in part, on our ability to attract, train, retain, and motivate qualified associates at all levels of
the organization. We are committed to continually developing our associates and providing career advancement
opportunities. Our associates and management teams are essential to our store expansion strategy. We use a combination
of existing managers, promoted associates, and outside hires to support our new stores. The majority of our promotions
are internal. As we continue to promote and develop from within, we are building a bench of associates and leaders who
know our company inside and out.
All of our associates participate in an interactive new-hire orientation through which each associate becomes acquainted
with Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values. Through our learning management system and our digital workplace
system, we provide continuing education to associates throughout their careers at Ulta Beauty. Additionally, our
leadership development program prepares promising future leaders for new levels of responsibility.
Compensation and benefits
Our commitment to our associates and their well-being is one of our highest priorities. We have assembled a suite of
benefits that affirms and supports all that our associates contribute every day, including:
• Health care coverage is offered to those who work more than 30 hours a week in any position. Coverage
extends to eligible dependents, including spouses, same-sex partners and children under the age of 26. We offer
comprehensive medical plans that empower associates to choose the coverage that best suits them.
401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match.
•
• Disability and life insurance.
• Company-paid short-term disability pay at 80% of pay.
• Additional insurance options, including legal, pet, home, and auto.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Paid time off, including an extended illness bank.
• Discounts on retail products and salon services.
In addition, we believe wellness, like beauty, is more than skin deep, so we offer mental health resources, such as
counseling services and access to apps; financial wellness planning and guidance; and health apps and educational
resources for soon-to-be parents.
Since 2017, the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation (UBCF) has supported the Associate Relief Program to assist
associates facing unforeseen financial hardship. The Associate Relief Program provides short-term financial support to
pay off medical bills or support temporary housing. During 2020, we expanded the criteria for receiving funding to
include those in need of extra assistance as a result of COVID-19.
Seasonality
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuation. Significant portions of our net sales and profits are realized during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to the holiday selling season. To a lesser extent, our business is also affected by
Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
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Available information
Our principal website address is www.ulta.com. We make available at this address under investor relations (at
http://ir.ultabeauty.com), free of charge, our proxy statement, annual report to shareholders, annual report on Form 10 - K,
quarterly reports on Form 10 - Q, current reports on Form 8 - K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably
practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information available on our website
is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed a part of this Form 10 - K. In addition, our filings with the SEC may
be accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All statements made in any of our securities filings, including
all forward-looking statements or information, are made as of the date of the document in which the statement is
included, and we do not assume or undertake any obligation to update any of those statements or documents unless we
are required to do so by law.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations,
or future growth. We could also be affected by additional risks that apply to all companies operating in the United
States, as well as other risks that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial. You
should carefully consider the following risks and all of the other information contained in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K before making an investment in our common stock.
Business, Operational and Strategic Risks
We may not be able to sustain our growth plans and successfully implement our long-range strategic and financial
plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Our continued and future growth largely depends on our ability to implement our long-range strategic and financial plans
and successfully open and operate new stores on a profitable basis. There can be no assurance that we will be successful
in implementing our growth plans or long-range strategic imperatives, including our Efficiencies for Growth cost
optimization program, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows.
If we are unable to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner, our sales
may decrease.
We believe our success depends in substantial part on our ability to:
•
•
•
•
•
recognize and define product and beauty trends;
anticipate, gauge, and react to changing consumer preferences (including relating to sustainability of product
sources and packaging, ingredient transparency, and animal welfare) in a timely manner;
translate market trends into appropriate, saleable product, and service offerings in our stores and salons in
advance of our competitors;
develop and maintain vendor relationships that provide us access to the newest merchandise on reasonable
terms; and
distribute merchandise to our stores in an efficient and effective manner and maintain appropriate in-stock
levels.
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If we are unable to anticipate and fulfill the merchandise needs of the consumer, our net sales may decrease and we may
be forced to increase markdowns of slow-moving merchandise, either of which could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Our comparable sales and quarterly financial performance may fluctuate for a variety of reasons, which could result
in a decline in the price of our common stock.
Our comparable sales and quarterly results of operations have fluctuated in the past, and we expect them to continue to
fluctuate in the future. A variety of factors affect our comparable sales and quarterly financial performance, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
general U.S. economic conditions and, in particular, the retail sales environment;
changes in our merchandising strategy or mix;
performance of our new and remodeled stores;
the effectiveness of our inventory management;
timing and concentration of new store openings, including additional human resource requirements and related
pre-opening and other start-up costs;
cannibalization of existing store sales by new store openings;
levels of pre-opening expenses associated with new stores;
timing and effectiveness of our marketing activities;
seasonal fluctuations due to weather conditions;
actions by our existing or new competitors; and
hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, mudslides, other natural disasters, and epidemics or pandemics.
Accordingly, our results for any one fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any
other quarter, and comparable sales for any particular future period may decrease. In that event, the price of our common
stock may decline.
Any significant interruption in the operations of our distribution centers could disrupt our ability to deliver
merchandise to our stores in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We distribute products to our stores without supplementing such deliveries with direct-to-store arrangements from
vendors or wholesalers. We are a retailer carrying over 25,000 beauty products that change on a regular basis in response
to beauty trends, which makes the success of our operations particularly vulnerable to disruptions in our distribution
infrastructure. Any significant interruption in the operation of our supply chain infrastructure, such as disruptions in our
information systems, disruptions in operations due to fire, natural disasters, or other catastrophic events (such as
COVID-19), labor disagreements, or shipping and transportation problems, could drastically reduce our ability to receive
and process orders and provide products and services to our stores and guests, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows. In addition, shipping and transportation costs represent
a component of our cost structure and an increase in shipping and transportation costs could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Our e-commerce platform exposes us to certain additional risks which could adversely affect our results of
operations.
We offer most of our beauty products for sale through our Ulta.com website and through our mobile applications. As a
result, we encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by internet-based businesses, including risks related to
our ability to attract and retain customers on a cost-effective basis and our ability to operate, support, expand, and
develop our internet operations, website, mobile applications and software, and other related operational systems.
Although we believe that our omnichannel participation is a distinct advantage for us due to synergies and the potential
for new customers, supporting product offerings through these channels can create issues that have the potential to
adversely affect our results of operations. For example, if our e-commerce platform successfully grows, it may do so in
part by attracting existing guests, rather than new guests, who choose to purchase products from us online or through our
14
mobile applications rather than from our physical stores, thereby reducing the financial performance of our stores. In
addition, offering different products through each channel could cause conflicts and cause some of our current or
potential internet or mobile customers to consider competing distributors of beauty products. Offering products through
our internet channel or through our mobile applications could also cause some of our current or potential vendors to
consider competing internet or mobile offerings of their products either on their own or through competing distributors.
Additionally, omnichannel retailing is rapidly evolving, and we must keep pace with changing guest expectations and
new developments by our competitors. As we continue to grow our e-commerce platform, the impact of attracting
existing rather than new guests, conflicts between product offerings online or through our mobile applications and
through our stores, and opening up our channels to increased competition from pure-play e-commerce companies could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows. In addition, if we are
unable to make, improve, or develop relevant guest-facing technology in a timely manner, our ability to compete and our
results of operations could be adversely affected.
Increased costs or interruption in our third-party vendors’ overseas sourcing operations could disrupt production,
shipment, or receipt of some of our merchandise, which could result in lost sales and could increase our costs.
We directly source the majority of our Ulta Beauty branded product components and gifts with purchase and other
promotional products through third-party vendors using foreign factories. In addition, many of our vendors use overseas
sourcing to varying degrees to manufacture some or all of their products. Any event causing a sudden disruption of
manufacturing or imports from such foreign countries, including the imposition of additional import restrictions,
unanticipated political changes, increased customs duties, legal or economic restrictions on overseas suppliers’ ability to
produce and deliver products, and natural disasters, could materially harm our operations. We have no long-term supply
contracts with respect to such foreign-sourced items, many of which are subject to existing or potential duties, tariffs, or
quotas that may limit the quantity of certain types of goods that may be imported into the United States from such
countries. Our business is also subject to a variety of other risks generally associated with sourcing goods from abroad,
such as political instability, disruption of imports by labor disputes, and local business practices. Our sourcing operations
may also be hurt by health concerns regarding infectious diseases in countries in which our merchandise is produced
(such as COVID-19), adverse weather conditions or natural disasters that may occur overseas, or acts of war or terrorism
in the United States or worldwide, to the extent these acts affect the production, shipment, or receipt of merchandise. Our
future operations and performance will be subject to these factors, and these factors could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows or may require us to modify our current business
practices and incur increased costs.
Diversion of exclusive salon products, or a decision by manufacturers of exclusive salon products to utilize other
distribution channels, could negatively impact our revenue from the sale of such products, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
The retail products that we sell in our salons are meant to be sold exclusively by professional salons and authorized
professional retail outlets. However, incidents of product diversion occur, which involve the selling of salon exclusive
haircare products to unauthorized channels such as drug stores, grocery stores, or mass merchandisers. Diversion could
result in adverse publicity that harms the commercial prospects of our products (if diverted products are old, tainted, or
damaged), as well as lower product revenues should consumers choose to purchase diverted product from these channels
rather than purchasing from one of our salons. Additionally, the various product manufacturers could, in the future,
decide to utilize other distribution channels for such products, therefore widening the availability of these products in
other retail channels, which could negatively impact the revenue we earn from the sale of such products.
The capacity of our distribution and order fulfillment infrastructure and the performance of our distribution centers
and fast fulfillment centers may not be adequate to support our historical growth and expected future growth plans,
which could prevent the successful implementation of these plans or cause us to incur excess costs to expand this
infrastructure, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash
flows.
We currently operate four distribution centers, which house the distribution operations for Ulta Beauty retail stores
together with the order fulfillment operations of our e-commerce platform, and two fast fulfillment centers (e-commerce
15
only). In 2014, we began a multi-year supply chain project, which focused on, among other things, adding capacity and
system improvements to support expanded omnichannel capabilities. To support our historical and expected future
growth and to maintain the efficient operation of our business, it is likely additional distribution centers or fast
fulfillment centers will be added in the future. Our failure to effectively upgrade and expand our distribution capacity on
a timely basis to keep pace with our anticipated growth in stores and the performance of our distribution centers could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We rely on our good relationships with brand partners to purchase prestige, mass, and salon beauty products on
reasonable terms. If these relationships were to be impaired, or if certain brand partners were to change their
distribution model, or are unable to supply sufficient merchandise to keep pace with our growth plans, we may not be
able to obtain a sufficient selection or volume of merchandise on reasonable terms, and we may not be able to
respond promptly to changing trends in beauty products, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our
competitive position, business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We have no long-term supply agreements with brand partners and, therefore, our success depends on maintaining good
relationships with our brand partners. Our business depends to a significant extent on the willingness and ability of our
brand partners to supply us with a sufficient selection and volume of products to stock our stores. Some of our prestige
brand partners may not have the capacity to supply us with sufficient merchandise to keep pace with our growth plans.
We also have strategic partnerships with certain core brands, which have allowed us to benefit from the growing
popularity of such brands. Any of our other core brands could in the future decide to scale back or end its partnership
with us and strengthen its relationship with our competitors, which could negatively impact the revenue we earn from the
sale of such products. If we fail to maintain strong relationships with our existing brand partners, or if we fail to continue
acquiring and strengthening relationships with additional brand partners of beauty products, our ability to obtain a
sufficient amount and variety of merchandise on reasonable terms may be limited, which could have a negative impact
on our competitive position.
During fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, merchandise supplied to Ulta Beauty by our top ten brand partners accounted for
approximately 56% and 61% of our net sales, respectively. There continues to be vendor consolidation within the beauty
products industry. The loss of or a reduction in the amount of merchandise made available to us by any one of these key
vendors, or by any of our other brand partners, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows.
Use of social media may adversely impact our reputation.
There has been a substantial increase in the use of social media platforms, including blogs, social media websites, and
other forms of internet-based and mobile communications, which allow individuals access to a broad audience of
consumers and other interested persons. Negative commentary regarding us or the products we sell may be posted on
social media platforms and similar devices at any time and may be adverse to our reputation or business. Customers
value readily available information and often act on such information without further investigation and without regard to
its accuracy or source. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction.
We also use social media platforms as marketing tools. For example, we maintain Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
Pinterest accounts. As laws and regulations rapidly evolve to govern the use of these platforms and devices, the failure
by us, our employees, or third parties acting at our direction to abide by applicable laws and regulations in the use of
these platforms and devices could adversely impact our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
If we fail to retain our existing senior management team or attract qualified new personnel, such failure could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Our business requires disciplined execution at all levels of our organization. This execution requires an experienced and
talented management team. If we were to lose the benefit of the experience, efforts, and abilities of key executive
personnel, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Furthermore, our ability to manage our retail expansion will require us to continue to train, motivate, and manage our
associates. We will need to attract, motivate, and retain additional qualified executive, managerial, and merchandising
16
personnel and store associates. Competition for this type of personnel is intense, and we may not be successful in
attracting, assimilating, and retaining the personnel required to grow and operate our business profitably.
Our secured revolving credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants that could limit our operational flexibility,
including our ability to open stores.
We have a $1.0 billion secured revolving credit facility with a term expiring in March 2025. Substantially all of our
assets are pledged as collateral for outstanding borrowings under the agreement. Outstanding borrowings bear interest at
either a base rate plus a margin of 0% to 0.125% or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 1.125% to
1.25% and the unused line fee is 0.20% per annum. The credit facility agreement contains usual and customary
restrictive covenants relating to our management and the operation of our business. These covenants, among other
things, limit our ability to grant liens on our assets, incur additional indebtedness, pay cash dividends and redeem our
stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, and merge or consolidate with another entity. These covenants could restrict
our operational flexibility and any failure to comply with these covenants or our payment obligations would limit our
ability to borrow under the credit facility and, in certain circumstances, may allow the lenders thereunder to require
repayment.
Economic, Market and Other External Risks
The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a negative impact on our business, financial condition,
profitability, cash flows and supply chain, as well as consumer spending.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Federal, state and local
governments have since implemented numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel restrictions, border
closings, restrictions on public gatherings, quarantining of people who may have been exposed to the virus, shelter-in-
place restrictions, and limitations or shutdowns of business operations. In response to government recommendations and
for the health and safety of our associates (i.e., employees) and guests, on March 19, 2020 we temporarily closed all
stores across the U.S. As a result of this decision, we experienced a significant reduction in customer traffic and demand
which resulted in our sales and results of operations being negatively impacted. While we have reopened all stores, the
potential temporary reclosing of certain stores in the future is possible. COVID-19 could also negatively impact our
future results of operations by continuing to weaken demand for our products and services and/or by disrupting our
supply chain.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased economic and demand uncertainty and has caused an economic
slowdown that may continue. The pandemic has also led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which
may adversely affect our and our suppliers’ liquidity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a negative impact on our business, financial condition,
profitability, cash flows and supply chain, although the full extent is still uncertain. As the pandemic continues to evolve,
the extent of the impact on our business, financial condition, profitability, cash flows and supply chain will depend on
future developments, including, but not limited to, the potential temporary reclosing of certain of our stores, the potential
temporary restrictions on certain of our stores operating hours and/or in store capacity, the duration of potential future
quarantines, shelter-in-place and other travel restrictions within U.S. and other affected countries, the duration of the
pandemic (including any continuing relapses), the actions to contain the virus and/or treat its impact, the duration, timing
and severity of the impact on consumer spending, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating
conditions can resume, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
Epidemics, pandemics like COVID-19, natural disasters, or other catastrophes or crises that have and could continue
to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Epidemics, pandemics, or other public health crises, natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, wildfires,
earthquakes, and mudslides, as well as acts of violence or terrorism, have resulted in the temporary closure of our stores
and, in the future, could also result in physical damage to our properties, the temporary reclosing of our stores, the
temporary closing of our distribution centers and fast fulfillment centers, the temporary lack of an adequate work force,
17
the temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of products (or a substantial increase in the cost of those products)
from domestic or foreign suppliers, the temporary disruption in the delivery of goods both to and from our distribution
centers and fast fulfillment centers (or a substantial increase in the cost of those deliveries), the temporary reduction in
the availability of products in our stores and/or the temporary reduction in visits to stores by customers. Accordingly, if
one or more epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and/or acts of violence or terrorism were to occur (as it is with the
COVID-19 pandemic), it has and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows or may require us to incur increased costs.
The health of the economy in the channels we serve may affect consumer purchases of discretionary items such as
beauty products and salon services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows.
Our results of operations may be materially affected by conditions in the capital markets and the economy generally. We
appeal to a wide demographic consumer profile and offer an extensive selection of beauty products sold directly to retail
consumers and premium salon services. Uncertainty in the economy could adversely impact consumer purchases of
discretionary items across all of our product categories, including prestige beauty products and premium salon services.
Factors that could affect consumers’ willingness to make such discretionary purchases include: general business
conditions, levels of employment, interest rates, tax rates, the availability of consumer credit, consumer confidence in
future economic conditions, and risks related to epidemics or pandemics like COVID-19. In the event of a prolonged
economic downturn or acute recession, consumer spending habits could be adversely affected, and we could experience
lower than expected net sales.
In addition, a general deterioration in economic conditions could adversely affect our commercial partners including our
brand partners as well as the real estate developers and landlords who we rely on to construct and operate centers in
which our stores are located. A bankruptcy or financial failure of a significant vendor or a number of significant real
estate developers or shopping center landlords could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows. Additionally, volatility and disruption to the capital and credit markets may have a
significant, adverse impact on global economic conditions, resulting in recessionary pressures and declines in consumer
confidence and economic growth, which, in turn, may lead to declines in consumer spending. Reduced consumer
spending could cause changes in customer order patterns and changes in the level of merchandise purchased by our
customers, and may signify a reset of consumer spending habits, all of which may adversely affect our business,
financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets.
The markets for beauty products and salon services are highly competitive with few barriers to entry. We compete
against a diverse group of retailers, both small and large, including regional and national department stores, specialty
retailers, drug stores, mass merchandisers, high-end and discount salon chains, locally owned beauty retailers and salons,
online capabilities of national retailers, pure-play e-commerce companies, catalog retailers, and direct response
television, including television home shopping retailers and infomercials. We believe the principal bases upon which we
compete are the breadth of merchandise, our value proposition, the quality of our guests’ shopping experience, and the
convenience of our stores as one-stop destinations for beauty products and salon services. Many of our competitors are,
and many of our potential competitors may be, larger and have greater financial, marketing, and other resources and
therefore, may be able to adapt to changes in customer requirements more quickly, devote greater resources to the
marketing and sale of their products, generate greater national brand recognition, or adopt more aggressive pricing
policies than we can. As a result, we may lose market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
A reduction in traffic to, or the closing of, the other destination retailers in the shopping areas where our stores are
located could significantly reduce our sales and leave us with excess inventory, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
As a result of our real estate strategy, most of our stores are located in off-mall shopping areas known as power centers.
Power centers typically contain three to five big-box anchor stores along with a variety of smaller specialty tenants. As a
18
consequence of most of our stores being located in such shopping areas, our sales are derived, in part, from the volume
of traffic generated by the other destination retailers and the anchor stores in power centers where our stores are located.
Customer traffic to these shopping areas may be adversely affected by the closing of such destination retailers or anchor
stores, or by a reduction in traffic to such stores resulting from a regional or global economic downturn, an outbreak of
flu or other viruses (such as COVID-19), a general downturn in the local area where our store is located, or a decline in
the desirability of the shopping environment of a particular power center. Such a reduction in customer traffic would
reduce our sales and leave us with excess inventory, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, profitability, and cash flows. We may respond by increasing markdowns, initiating marketing
promotions, or transferring product to other stores to reduce excess inventory, which would further decrease our gross
profits and net income.
Increases in the demand for, or the price of, raw materials used to build and remodel our stores could hurt our
profitability.
The raw materials used to build and remodel our stores are subject to availability constraints and price volatility caused
by weather, supply conditions, government regulations, general economic conditions, and other unpredictable factors. As
a retailer engaged in an active building and remodeling program, we are particularly vulnerable to increases in
construction and remodeling costs. As a result, increases in the demand for, or the price of, raw materials could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Our stock repurchase programs could affect the price of our common stock and increase volatility and may be
suspended or terminated at any time, which may result in a decrease in the trading price of our common stock.
We may have in place from time to time, a stock repurchase program. Any such stock repurchase program adopted will
not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of common stock and may be suspended
or discontinued at any time, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. The timing and actual
number of shares repurchased under any such stock repurchase program depends on a variety of factors including the
timing of open trading windows, price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market conditions. We may
affect repurchases under any stock repurchase program from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated
transactions or otherwise, including accelerated stock repurchase arrangements. Repurchases pursuant to any such stock
repurchase program could affect our stock price and increase its volatility. The existence of a stock repurchase program
could also cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentially
reduce the market liquidity for our stock. There can be no assurance that any stock repurchases will enhance stockholder
value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased shares of
common stock. Although our stock repurchase program is intended to enhance stockholder value, short-term stock price
fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness.
Regulatory, Legal and Cybersecurity Risks
Cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information, result in the unauthorized
disclosure of confidential guest, employee, Company and/or business partners’ information, damage our reputation,
and expose us to liability, which could negatively impact our business.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, process, and store sensitive and confidential data, including our
proprietary business information and that of our guests, suppliers and business partners, and personally identifiable
information of our guests and employees, in our data centers and on our networks. The secure processing, maintenance,
and transmission of this information is critical to our operations. We rely on commercially available systems, software,
tools, and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission, and storage of confidential information. Despite
the security measures we have in place and continual vigilance in regard to the protection of sensitive information, our
systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to security breaches, attacks by hackers, acts of
vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, human errors, or other similar events. Furthermore, we allow certain
of our employees to work from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as certain of our third-party service
providers also allow, and this remote working environment may increase cybersecurity related risks. Any such breach
could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost, or stolen.
19
Any such access, disclosure, or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws
that protect the privacy of personal information, disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of
confidence in our business, products, and services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows.
We are subject to risks relating to our information technology systems, and any failure to adequately protect our
critical information technology systems or any material disruption of our information systems could negatively impact
financial results and materially adversely affect our business operations, particularly during the holiday season.
We are increasingly dependent on a variety of information systems, including management, supply chain and financial
information, and various other processes and transactions, to effectively manage our business. We also plan to expand
and upgrade our information systems to support historical and expected future growth. The failure of our information
systems to perform as designed or breaches of security could have an adverse effect on our business and results of our
operations. Any material disruption of our systems could disrupt our ability to track, record, and analyze the merchandise
that we sell and could cause delays or cancellation of customer orders or impede the manufacture or shipment of
products, the processing of transactions, our ability to receive and process e-commerce orders, and/or the reporting of
financial results.
Our e-commerce operations are increasingly important to our business. The Ulta.com website and our mobile
applications serve as an effective extension of Ulta Beauty’s marketing and prospecting strategies (beyond catalogs,
newspaper inserts, and national advertising) by exposing potential new customers to the Ulta Beauty brand, product
offerings, and enhanced content. As the importance of our website, mobile applications, and e-commerce operations to
our business grows, we are increasingly vulnerable to downtime and other technical failures. Our failure to successfully
respond to these risks could reduce e-commerce sales and damage our brand’s reputation.
Litigation and other legal or regulatory proceedings or claims and the outcome of such litigation, proceedings or
claims, including possible fines and penalties, could have a material adverse effect on our business and any loss
contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
From time to time, we are subject to litigation, including potential class action and single-plaintiff litigation and other
legal or regulatory proceedings or claims in the ordinary course of our business operations regarding, but not limited to,
employment matters, consumer claims, security of consumer and employee personal information, contractual relations
with suppliers, marketing and infringement of trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. Litigation to defend
ourselves against claims by third parties, or to enforce any rights that we may have against third parties, may be
necessary, which could absorb significant management time, result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources,
causing a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows. We establish accruals
for potential liability arising from litigation and other legal or regulatory proceedings or claims when potential liability is
probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated based on currently available information. We may still
incur legal costs for a matter even if we have not accrued a liability. In addition, actual losses may be higher than the
amount accrued for a certain matter, or in the aggregate. Any resolution of litigation or other legal or regulatory
proceedings or claims could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Specifically, our technologies, promotional products purchased from third-party vendors, and/or Ulta Beauty branded
products, or potential products in development may infringe rights under patents, patent applications, trademark,
copyright, or other intellectual property rights of third parties in the United States and abroad. These third parties could
bring claims against us that would cause us to incur substantial expenses and, if successful, could cause us to pay
substantial damages. Further, if a third party were to bring an intellectual property infringement suit against us, we could
be forced to stop or delay development, manufacturing, or sales of the product that is the subject of the suit.
As a result of intellectual property infringement claims, or to avoid potential claims, we may choose to seek, or be
required to seek, a license from the third party and would most likely be required to pay license fees or royalties or both.
These licenses may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Ultimately, we could be prevented from
commercializing a product or be forced to cease some aspect of our business operations if, as a result of actual or
threatened intellectual property infringement claims, we are unable to enter into licenses on acceptable terms. Even if we
20
were able to obtain a license, the rights may be non-exclusive, which would give our competitors access to the same
intellectual property. The inability to enter into licenses could harm our business significantly.
If our manufacturers are unable to produce products manufactured uniquely for Ulta Beauty, including Ulta Beauty
branded products and gifts with purchase and other promotional products, consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, we could suffer lost sales and be required to take costly corrective action, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and therefore depend upon independent third-party vendors for
the manufacture of all products manufactured uniquely for Ulta Beauty, including the Ulta Beauty Collection and Ulta
Beauty branded gifts with purchase and other promotional products. Our third-party manufacturers of Ulta Beauty
products may not maintain adequate controls with respect to product specifications and quality and may not continue to
produce products that are consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. If we or our third-party manufacturers fail
to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, we could be required to take costly corrective action. In addition,
sanctions under various laws may include seizure of products, injunctions against future shipment of products, restitution
and disgorgement of profits, operating restrictions, and criminal prosecution. The FDA does not have a pre-market
approval system for cosmetics, and we believe we are permitted to market our cosmetics and have them manufactured
without submitting safety or efficacy data to the FDA. However, cosmetic products may become subject to more
extensive regulation in the future. These events could interrupt the marketing and sale of our Ulta Beauty products,
severely damage our brand reputation and image in the marketplace, increase the cost of our products, cause us to fail to
meet customer expectations, or cause us to be unable to deliver merchandise in sufficient quantities or of sufficient
quality to our stores, any of which could result in lost sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We, as well as our vendors, are subject to laws and regulations that could require us to modify our current business
practices and incur increased costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
profitability, and cash flows.
In our U.S. markets, numerous laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels can affect our business. Legal
requirements are frequently changed and subject to interpretation, and we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of
compliance with these requirements or their effect on our operations. If we fail to comply with any present or future laws
or regulations, we could be subject to future liabilities, a prohibition on the operation of our stores, or a prohibition on
the sale of our Ulta Beauty branded products. In particular, failure to adequately comply with the following legal
requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
• Our large workforce makes us vulnerable to changes in labor and employment laws. In addition, changes in
federal and state minimum wage laws and other laws relating to employee benefits could cause us to incur
additional wage and benefits costs, which could hurt our profitability and affect our growth strategy.
• Our salon operations are subject to state board regulations and state licensing requirements for our stylists and
our salon procedures. Failure to maintain compliance with these regulatory and licensing requirements could
jeopardize the viability of our salons.
• We operate stores in California, which has enacted legislation commonly referred to as “Proposition 65”
requiring that “clear and reasonable” warnings be given to consumers who are exposed to chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Although we have sought to comply with
Proposition 65 requirements, there can be no assurance that we will not be adversely affected by litigation
relating to Proposition 65.
• Future changes in healthcare reform legislation could significantly impact our business.
In addition, concern over climate change and greenhouse gases may result in new or additional legal, legislative, and
regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, which could result in
future tax, transportation, and utility increases, which could adversely affect our business. There is also increased focus,
including by investors, guests, and other stakeholders on these and other environmental, social, governance and
sustainability matters, including the use of plastic, energy, waste, and worker safety. Our reputation could be damaged if
21
we do not (or are perceived not to) act responsibly with respect to these matters, which could adversely affect our
business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
The formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, sale, and storage of our vendors’ products and our
Ulta Beauty branded products are also subject to extensive regulation by various federal agencies, including FDA, FTC,
CPSC, and various state and local agencies, such as State AGs and District Attorneys. If we, our vendors, or the
manufacturers of our Ulta Beauty branded products fail to comply with those regulations, we could become subject to
significant penalties, claims, or product recalls, which could harm our results of operations or our ability to conduct our
business.
Additionally, the adoption of new regulations or changes in the interpretations of existing regulations may result in
significant compliance costs or discontinuation of product sales and may impair the marketability of our vendors’
products or our Ulta Beauty branded products, resulting in significant loss of net sales. Our failure to comply with
federal, state, or local requirements when we advertise our products (including prices) or services, or engage in other
promotional activities, in digital (including social media), television, or print may result in enforcement actions and
imposition of penalties or otherwise harm the distribution and sale of our products.
Our associates or others may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with our
policies and procedures.
We are exposed to the risk of misconduct or other improper activities by our associates and third parties such as
independent contractors or agents. Misconduct by associates, independent contractors, or agents could include
inadvertent or intentional failures to comply with our policies and procedures, the laws and regulations to which we are
subject, and/or ethical, social, product, labor, and environmental standards. Our current and former associates or
independent contractors may also become subject to allegations of sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination,
or other similar misconduct, which, regardless or the ultimate outcome, may result in adverse publicity that could
significantly harm our brand, reputation, and operations. Associate misconduct could also involve improper use of
information obtained in the course of the associate’s prior or current employment, which could result in legal or
regulatory action and harm to our reputation.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our brand and reputation could be harmed, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
We regard our trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how, and similar intellectual property as critical
to our success. Our principal intellectual property rights include registered and common law trademarks on “The
Possibilities are Beautiful.®,” “Ulta Beauty,” “Ulta,” and other marks incorporating our name and “All Things Beauty.
All in One Place®,” “21 Days of Beauty®,” and “Conscious Beauty at Ulta BeautyTM,” copyrights in our website and
mobile applications content, rights to our domain name www.ulta.com, and trade secrets and know-how with respect to
our Ulta Beauty branded product formulations, product sourcing, sales and marketing and other aspects of our business,
and our digital innovations such as try-on applications and artificial intelligence. As such, we rely on trademark and
copyright law, trade secret protection, and confidentiality agreements with certain of our employees, consultants,
suppliers, and others to protect our proprietary rights. If we are unable to protect or preserve the value of our trademarks,
copyrights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights for any reason (including any cybersecurity incident that results in
the unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights), or if other parties infringe on our intellectual property rights, our
brand and reputation could be impaired and we could lose customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Our Ulta Beauty branded products and salon services may cause unexpected and undesirable side effects that could
result in their discontinuance or expose us to lawsuits, either of which could result in unexpected costs and damage to
our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, profitability, and
cash flows.
Unexpected and undesirable side effects caused by our Ulta Beauty branded products for which we have not provided
sufficient label warnings or salon services, which may have been performed negligently, could result in the
22
discontinuance of sales of our products or of certain salon services or prevent us from achieving or maintaining market
acceptance of the affected products and services. Such side effects could also expose us to product liability or negligence
lawsuits. Any claims brought against us may exceed our existing or future insurance policy coverage or limits. Any
judgment against us that is in excess of our policy limits would have to be paid from our cash reserves, which would
reduce our capital resources. These events could cause negative publicity regarding our Company, brand, or products,
which could in turn harm our reputation and net sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, profitability, and cash flows.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law may discourage or prevent a change in
control, even if a sale of the Company would be beneficial to our stockholders, which could cause our stock price to
decline and prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may delay or prevent a change in control, discourage
bids at a premium over the market price of our common stock, and harm the market price of our common stock and
diminish the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. These provisions include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
dividing our Board of Directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms;
authorizing our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock and additional shares of our common stock without
stockholder approval;
prohibiting stockholder actions by written consent;
prohibiting our stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders;
prohibiting our stockholders from making certain changes to our certificate of incorporation or bylaws except
with a two-thirds majority stockholder approval; and
requiring advance notice for raising business matters or nominating directors at stockholders’ meetings.
We are also subject to provisions of Delaware law that, in general, prohibit any business combination with a beneficial
owner of 15% or more of our common stock for three years after the stockholder becomes a 15% stockholder, subject to
specified exceptions. Together, these provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law
could make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve
payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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Item 2. Properties
All of our retail stores, distribution centers, fast fulfillment centers, and corporate offices are leased or subleased.
Retail stores
Our retail stores are predominantly located in convenient, high-traffic locations such as power centers. Our typical store
is approximately 10,000 square feet, including approximately 950 square feet dedicated to our full-service salon. Most of
our retail store leases provide for a fixed minimum annual rent and generally have a 10-year initial term with options for
two or three extension periods of five years each, exercisable at our option. As of January 30, 2021, we operated 1,264
retail stores across 50 states, as shown in the table below:
Location
Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of
stores
22
3
30
10
156
26
17
3
86
38
4
9
55
24
10
13
15
18
3
27
21
48
19
10
25
Location
Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of
stores
6
5
15
7
42
7
49
34
3
43
21
17
44
3
20
3
27
117
14
1
30
34
7
20
3
1,264
24
Distribution centers and fast fulfillment centers
Our standard distribution center and fast fulfillment center lease provides for a fixed minimum annual rent and generally
has a 10 or 15-year initial term with three or four renewal options with terms of five years each. The general location,
approximate size, and lease expiration date for each distribution center (DC) and fast fulfillment center (FFC) at
January 30, 2021, are set forth below:
Location
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dallas, Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fresno, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Greenwood, Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacksonville, Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Romeoville, Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type
DC
DC
DC
DC
FFC
FFC
Corporate office
Approximate
Square Feet
503,605
671,000
671,000
671,000
203,463
291,000
Lease Expiration
Date
June 30, 2027
July 31, 2026
July 31, 2028
July 31, 2025
September 30, 2029
May 31, 2023
Our principal executive office is in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The corporate office is approximately 341,000 square feet with
lease terms expiring in 2028. Additionally, we have a satellite corporate office in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago office is
approximately 23,000 square feet with lease expiration in 2024.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements, “Commitments and contingencies - General litigation,” for
information on legal proceedings.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 4A. Executive Officers
The names of our executive officers, their ages and their positions, as of March 1, 2021, are shown below:
Name
Mary N. Dillon . . . . . . . .
David C. Kimbell. . . . . . .
Scott M. Settersten . . . . .
Jodi J. Caro . . . . . . . . . . .
Jeffrey J. Childs . . . . . . . .
Age Position
President
59 Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors
54
60 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
55 General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary
63 Chief Human Resources Officer
There is no family relationship between any of the directors or executive officers and any other director or executive
officer of Ulta Beauty.
Mary N. Dillon. Ms. Dillon was named Chief Executive Officer effective July 2013. Prior to joining Ulta Beauty, she
was President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of U.S. Cellular from June 2010 to July 2013. From 2005 to
2010, Ms. Dillon served as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President for McDonald’s Corporation.
Prior to joining McDonald’s, she held various positions at PepsiCo, including President of the Quaker Foods division.
Ms. Dillon serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Starbucks Corporation and KKR & Co. Inc. and previously
served on the board of Target Corporation from 2007 to 2013.
25
David C. Kimbell. Mr. Kimbell was named President in December 2019 after having previously served as Chief
Merchandising and Marketing Officer since March 2015 and Chief Marketing Officer since February 2014. Prior to
joining Ulta Beauty, he was Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President at U.S. Cellular since February 2011.
From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Kimbell served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Seventh Generation, a
producer of environmentally friendly household and baby care products. Prior to that from 2001 to 2008, Mr. Kimbell
held various positions at PepsiCo, Quaker Food Division, including Vice President of Marketing. Mr. Kimbell held a
number of brand management roles in the Beauty Division of The Procter and Gamble Company from 1995 to 2001.
Scott M. Settersten. Mr. Settersten was named Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary in March 2013
after having previously served as Acting Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary since October 2012. Prior to
this role, Mr. Settersten served as Vice President of Accounting since 2010 and was responsible for accounting, tax,
external reporting and investor relations. He joined Ulta Beauty in January 2005 as a Director of Financial Reporting.
Prior to joining Ulta Beauty, Mr. Settersten spent 15 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as a certified public
accountant serving in various senior manager roles in the assurance and risk management practices.
Jodi J. Caro. Ms. Caro was named General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary in August 2015.
Prior to joining Ulta Beauty, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Integrys Energy Group, in
addition to holding the role of Integrys’ Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer. Prior to joining Integrys in 2008,
Ms. Caro owned and operated her own law practice, which provided general counsel and corporate services to clients
ranging from established multi-million-dollar companies to medium and small early-stage enterprises. Prior to opening
her law practice in 2006, she was co-founder and General Counsel of Looking Glass Networks, a privately held,
facilities-based telecommunications company, and served as an in-house attorney with MCI/WORLDCOM.
Jeffrey J. Childs. Mr. Childs was named Chief Human Resource Officer in October 2013. Prior to joining Ulta Beauty,
he was Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer at U.S. Cellular after joining as Senior Vice
President of Human Resources in 2004. From 2001 to 2004, he was President and Owner of Childs Consulting Services.
Previously, he served from 1979 to 2001 in a variety of human resources, marketing, sales and operations roles at
AT&T, including Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Services.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Market information
Our common stock has traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ULTA” since October 25,
2007.
Holders of the registrant’s common stock
The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on March 22, 2021 was
$315.09 per share. As of March 22, 2021, we had 34 holders of record of our common stock. Because many shares of
common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total
number of stockholders represented by these record holders.
26
Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers
The following table sets forth repurchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020:
Period
November 1, 2020 to November 28, 2020 . . . . . . . . . . .
November 29, 2020 to December 26, 2020 . . . . . . . . . .
December 27, 2020 to January 30, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 weeks ended January 30, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total number
of shares
purchased (1)
Average
price paid
per share
311 $
43,218
104,708
148,237
215.02
266.41
290.62
283.40
Total number
of shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced
plans or
programs (2)
– $
43,218
104,606
147,824
Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may
yet
be purchased
under plans or
programs
(in
thousands) (2)
1,563,863
1,552,349
1,521,949
1,521,949
(1) There were 147,824 shares repurchased as part of our publicly announced share repurchase program during the
13 weeks ended January 30, 2021 and there were 413 shares transferred from employees in satisfaction of minimum
statutory tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock during the period.
(2) On March 12, 2020, we announced our 2020 share repurchase program pursuant to which the Company may
repurchase up to $1.6 billion of the Company’s common stock. As of January 30, 2021, $1.5 billion remained
available under the $1.6 billion 2020 share repurchase program, which does not have an expiration date but which
may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
Recent sales of unregistered securities
None.
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans
The following table provides information about Ulta Beauty common stock that may be issued under our equity
compensation plans as of January 30, 2021:
Plan category
Equity compensation plans approved by
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights (2)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (3)
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (4)
security holders (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
961,413
$
208.47
2,791,165
(1) Includes options issued and available for exercise and shares available for issuance in connection with past awards
under the Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Award Plan and predecessor equity incentive plans. We currently
grant awards only under the Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Award Plan.
(2) Includes 671,344 shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options, 252,713 shares issuable
pursuant to restricted stock units, and 37,356 shares issuable pursuant to performance-based units.
(3) Calculation of weighted-average exercise price of outstanding awards includes stock options but does not include
shares of restricted stock units or performance-based units that convert to shares of common stock for no
consideration.
27
(4) Represents shares that are available for issuance pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Award Plan.
The shares available under the plan are reduced by 1.0 for each stock option awarded and by 1.5 for each restricted
stock unit and performance-based unit awarded.
Stock performance graph
The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed”
with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of
1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by
reference into such filing.
Set forth below is a graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder return on Ulta Beauty’s common stock with the
NASDAQ Global Select Market Composite Index (NQGS), the S&P 500, and the S&P 500 Retailing/RLX (Industry
Group, SP500-2550) for the period covering January 30, 2016 through the end of Ulta Beauty’s fiscal year ended
January 30, 2021. The graph assumes an investment of $100 made at the closing of trading on January 30, 2016 in
(i) Ulta Beauty’s common stock, (ii) the stocks comprising the NQGS, (iii) the stocks comprising the S&P 500 and
(iv) the stocks comprising the S&P 500 Retailing/RLX (Industry Group, SP500-2550). As Ulta Beauty is a part of the
S&P 500, pursuant to the rules of the SEC, the S&P 500 is included in the graph below. All values assume reinvestment
of the full amount of all dividends, if any, into additional shares of the same class of equity securities at the frequency
with which dividends are paid on such securities during the applicable time period.
$400
$300
$200
$100
$0
6
1
-
n
a
J
7
1
-
n
a
J
8
1
-
n
a
J
9
1
-
n
a
J
0
2
-
n
a
J
1
2
-
n
a
J
Ulta
NQGS
S&P 500
S&P Retailing (RLX)
Company / Index
Ulta Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
NQGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S&P 500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S&P 500 Retailing (RLX) . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2016
100.00 $
100.00
100.00
100.00
January 30,
2021
2020
147.88 $ 154.42
282.53
199.43
191.43
166.24
234.02
210.51
January 28,
Fiscal year ended
February 3,
February 2,
February 1,
2017
150.29 $
121.62
117.45
116.83
2018
122.59 $
160.75
145.54
168.04
2019
161.13 $
157.85
139.37
180.73
28
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table presents our selected consolidated financial data. The table should be read in conjunction with
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 8,
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10 - K.
January 30,
2021
Fiscal year ended (1)
February 2,
2019 (2)
(In thousands, except per share and per square foot data and number of stores)
February 3,
2018 (3)
February 1,
2020
January 28,
2017
Statement of operations:
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,151,953 $ 7,398,068 $ 6,716,615 $ 5,884,506 $ 4,854,737
3,107,508
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,747,229
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,073,834
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . .
Impairment, restructuring and other costs . . . . . . . . .
—
18,571
Pre-opening expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
654,824
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(890)
Interest expense (income), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
655,714
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
245,954
Income tax expense (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
409,760
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,787,697
2,096,809
1,287,232
—
24,286
785,291
(1,568)
786,859
231,625
555,234 $
4,202,794
1,949,159
1,583,017
114,322
15,000
236,820
5,735
231,085
55,250
175,835 $
4,717,004
2,681,064
1,760,716
—
19,254
901,094
(5,056)
906,150
200,205
705,945 $
4,307,304
2,409,311
1,535,464
—
19,767
854,080
(5,061)
859,141
200,582
658,559 $
$
Net income per common share:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.12 $
3.11 $
12.21 $
12.15 $
11.00 $
10.94 $
9.02 $
8.96 $
6.55
6.52
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56,351
56,558
57,840
58,105
59,864
60,181
61,556
61,975
62,519
62,851
Other operating data:
Comparable sales (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of stores end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total square footage end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total square footage per store (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average total square footage (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(17.9)%
1,264
13,291,838
10,516
13,260,705
5.0%
1,254
13,193,076
10,521
12,804,988
8.1%
1,174
12,337,145
10,509
11,893,413
11.0%
1,074
11,300,920
10,522
10,742,874
151,866 $
297,772
114,895
298,534 $
295,599
680,979
319,400 $
279,472
616,194
440,714 $
252,713
367,581
15.8%
974
10,271,184
10,545
9,641,367
373,747
210,295
344,275
Balance sheet data (at period end):
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,046,051 $
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating lease liabilities (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
1,171,064
995,795
5,089,969
1,896,801
1,999,549
392,325 $
110,000
918,056
1,205,524
4,863,872
1,938,347
1,902,094
409,251 $
—
1,091,125
1,226,029
3,191,172
—
1,820,218
277,445 $
120,000
1,051,577
1,189,453
2,908,687
—
1,774,217
385,010
30,000
1,006,894
1,004,358
2,551,878
—
1,550,218
(1) Our fiscal year-end is the Saturday closest to January 31 based on a 52/53 - week year. Each fiscal year consists of
four 13 - week quarters, with an extra week added onto the fourth quarter every five or six years.
(2) The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective transition method in fiscal 2018. Results from fiscal years
prior to fiscal 2018 have not been recast for the adoption of ASC 606.
29
(3) Fiscal 2017 includes 53 weeks; all other fiscal years reported include 52 weeks. Net sales for the 53rd week of fiscal
2017 were approximately $108.8 million.
(4) On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law. This new legislation reduced the federal
corporate tax rate to 21.0% effective January 1, 2018. In accordance with Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code,
the Company utilized a blended rate of 33.7% for the fiscal 2017 tax year, by applying a prorated percentage of the
number of days prior to and subsequent to the January 1, 2018 effective date. Income tax expense in fiscal 2018
reflects the lower federal tax rate for the entire fiscal year.
(5) Comparable sales reflects sales for stores beginning on the first day of the 14th month of operation. Remodeled
stores are included in comparable sales unless the store was closed for a portion of the current or comparable prior
year.
(6) Total square footage per store is calculated by dividing total square footage at end of year by number of stores at end
of year.
(7) Average total square footage represents a weighted average, which reflects the effect of opening stores in different
months throughout the year.
(8) The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), on February 3, 2019 using
the modified retrospective approach by recognizing and measuring leases without revising comparative period
information or disclosures.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction
with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10 - K.
Overview
We were founded in 1990 as a beauty retailer at a time when prestige, mass, and salon products were sold through
distinct channels – department stores for prestige products; drug stores and mass merchandisers for mass products; and
salons and authorized retail outlets for professional hair care products. We developed a unique specialty retail concept
that offers a broad range of brands and price points, a compelling value proposition, and a convenient and welcoming
shopping environment. We define our target consumer as a beauty enthusiast, a consumer who is passionate about the
beauty category and has high expectations for the shopping experience. We estimate that beauty enthusiasts represent
approximately 57% of shoppers and 77% of spend in the U.S. beauty category. We believe our strategy provides us with
the competitive advantages that have contributed to our financial performance.
We are the largest beauty retailer in the United States and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin
care products, hair care products, and salon services. We provide unmatched product breadth, value, and convenience in
a distinctive specialty retail environment. Key aspects of our business include: our ability to offer our guests a unique
combination of more than 25,000 beauty products from across the categories of prestige and mass cosmetics, fragrance,
haircare, prestige and mass skincare, bath and body products, and salon styling tools, as well as a full-service salon in
every store featuring hair, skin, and brow services; our focus on delivering a compelling value proposition to our guests
across all of our product categories; and convenience, as our stores are predominantly located in convenient, high-traffic
locations such as power centers.
The continued growth of our business and any future increases in net sales, net income, and cash flows is dependent on
our ability to execute our strategic priorities: 1) build omnichannel operations that more deeply connects guests across
channels, 2) reimagine how guests experience and discover beauty, 3) drive market share growth through the deployment
of winning category strategies, 4) deepen Ulta Beauty love and loyalty, 5) drive holistic cost optimization, and
6) develop our talent and strengthen our culture. We believe that the expanding U.S. beauty products and salon services
30
industry, the shift in distribution channel of prestige beauty products from department stores to specialty retail stores,
coupled with Ulta Beauty’s competitive strengths, position us to capture additional market share in the industry.
Comparable sales is a key metric that is monitored closely within the retail industry. Our comparable sales have
fluctuated in the past, and we expect them to continue to fluctuate in the future. A variety of factors affect our
comparable sales, including general U.S. economic conditions, changes in merchandise strategy or mix, and timing and
effectiveness of our marketing activities, among others.
Over the long term, our growth strategy is to increase total net sales through increases in our comparable sales, opening
new stores, and increasing omnichannel capabilities. Long-term operating profit is expected to increase as a result of our
ability to expand merchandise margin and leverage our fixed store costs with comparable sales increases and operating
efficiencies offset by incremental investments in people, systems, and supply chain required to support a 1,500 to 1,700
store chain in the U.S. with successful e-commerce and competitive omnichannel capabilities.
COVID-19 response
We have been and continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on all facets of our business. We
have taken decisive actions to protect the safety of our associates and guests and to manage the business throughout the
fluid and challenging environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late 2019, COVID-19 was detected in Wuhan, China and other jurisdictions, prompting the Chinese government to
quarantine certain affected regions and impose both internal and external travel restrictions within the country. The virus
has since spread to every other part of the world, including the U.S., and in March 2020, the World Health Organization
declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Federal, state, and local governments have since implemented various
restrictions, including travel restrictions, border closings, restrictions on public gatherings, quarantining of people who
may have been exposed to the virus, shelter-in-place restrictions and limitations on business operations.
In response to government recommendations and for the health and safety of our associates and guests, on March 19,
2020 we temporarily closed all stores across the U.S., while continuing to support our essential e-commerce operations.
Effective April 19, 2020, we temporarily furloughed many of our store and salon associates. In April 2020, we
introduced curbside pickup, and in May 2020, we began reopening stores. Throughout the second quarter, stores were
reopened on a phased timeline, by taking a thoughtful, measured approach based on a variety of criteria, including state
and local guidelines and the adoption of our new Shop Safe Standards. As of July 20, 2020, we completed our phased
reopening process. By October 31, 2020, salon and brow services had resumed in almost all stores. Due to COVID-19
restrictions, we have not resumed skin and makeup services but we have plans to resume skin and makeup services as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Our results of operations for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 were significantly impacted by the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Comparable sales decreased 17.9% for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic, but the multi-year, strategic investments we have made to enhance our omnichannel and supply
chain capabilities, combined with the ongoing commitment of our distribution associates, have enabled us to support
increased e-commerce demand and strong guest engagement. In addition to decreases in net revenue, our overall
profitability also decreased as compared to the prior year. These developments have further required us to recognize
certain long-lived asset impairment charges and restructuring charges. Further, in connection with the Coronavirus Aid,
31
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, we recognized payroll subsidies as a reduction of selling, general and
administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
As we navigated these unprecedented circumstances, we continued to focus on our financial flexibility, including
drawing down $800.0 million under our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility on March 18, 2020, which was repaid in full
on September 2, 2020. In addition, we took the following steps to preserve financial liquidity:
•
•
•
•
•
•
limited new hires and delayed merit increases for all corporate, store, and salon associates;
reduced marketing, travel and controllable expenses;
aligned inventory receipts with current sales trends;
prioritized payment obligations;
reduced new store openings, relocations and remodel projects; and
suspended the stock repurchase program, which resumed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
To help support our associates through this crisis, we expanded the criteria for our Associate Relief Program to include
those who need assistance due to a personal hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ulta Beauty executive
team and Board of Directors have each made personal donations to the program.
Sales are expected to be challenged as events continue to change, and we are unable to accurately predict the future
impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our results of operations due to uncertainties including, but not limited
to, the potential temporary reclosing of certain of our stores, the potential temporary restrictions on certain store
operating hours and/or in-store capacity, the duration of potential future quarantines, shelter-in-place and other travel
restrictions within the U.S. and other affected countries, the duration of the pandemic and any more dangerous variants
of the virus, the duration, timing and severity of the impact on consumer spending, the timing and effectiveness of
vaccine distribution, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.
Industry trends
Our research indicates that Ulta Beauty has captured meaningful market share across all categories over the last several
years. However, our research also suggests that the cosmetics category in the overall U.S. market experienced mid-single
digit declines through fiscal 2019 and 2020. Beauty cycles are impacted by demographics and innovation. While
demographic trends continue to be favorable, we believe a lack of incremental innovation has resulted in a challenging
cycle for the cosmetics category, as innovation brought to the market has not resulted in incremental product purchases.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and its various impacts have changed consumer behavior and consumption of
beauty products due to the closures of offices, retail stores and other businesses and the significant decline in social
gatherings. We expect the beauty category will return to growth as consumers recover from the impacts of COVID-19,
and we remain confident that our differentiated and diverse business model, our commitment to strategic investments,
and our highly engaged associates will continue to drive market share gains over the long term.
Basis of presentation
The Company has one reportable segment, which includes retail stores, salon services, and e-commerce.
We recognize merchandise revenue at the point of sale in our retail stores. E-commerce sales are recognized upon
shipment or guest pickup of the merchandise based on meeting the transfer of control criteria. Retail store and e-
commerce sales are recorded net of estimated returns. Shipping and handling are treated as costs to fulfill the contract
and not a separate performance obligation. Accordingly, we recognize revenue for our single performance obligation
related to online sales at the time control of the merchandise passes to the customer, which is at the time of shipment or
guest pickup. We provide refunds for merchandise returns within 60 days from the original purchase date; however, due
to store closures during the first half of fiscal 2020, we extended our return policy to 180 days through November 16,
2020. State sales taxes are presented on a net basis as we consider our self a pass-through conduit for collecting and
remitting state sales tax. Salon service revenue is recognized at the time the service is provided to the guest. Gift card
sales revenue is deferred until the guest redeems the gift card. Company coupons and other incentives are recorded as a
32
reduction of net sales. Other revenue sources include the private label and co-branded credit card programs, as well as
deferred revenue related to the loyalty program and gift card breakage.
Comparable sales reflect sales for stores beginning on the first day of the 14th month of operation. Therefore, a store is
included in our comparable store base on the first day of the period after one year of operations plus the initial one-
month grand opening period. Non-comparable store sales include sales from new stores that have not yet completed their
13th month of operation and stores that were closed for part or all of the period in either year. Remodeled stores are
included in comparable sales unless the store was closed for a portion of the current or prior period. Comparable sales
include retail sales and salon services (including stores temporarily closed due to COVID-19), and e-commerce. There
may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or same store
sales.
Measuring comparable sales allows us to evaluate the performance of our store base as well as several other aspects of
our overall strategy. Several factors could positively or negatively impact our comparable sales results:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the general national, regional, and local economic conditions and corresponding impact on customer spending
levels;
the introduction of new products or brands;
the location of new stores in existing store markets;
competition;
our ability to respond on a timely basis to changes in consumer preferences;
the effectiveness of our various merchandising and marketing activities; and
the number of new stores opened and the impact on the average age of all of our comparable stores.
Cost of sales includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
the cost of merchandise sold, including substantially all vendor allowances, which are treated as a reduction of
merchandise costs;
distribution costs including labor and related benefits, freight, rent, depreciation and amortization, real estate
taxes, utilities, and insurance;
shipping and handling costs;
retail stores occupancy costs including rent, depreciation and amortization, real estate taxes, utilities, repairs and
maintenance, insurance, and licenses;
salon services payroll and benefits; and
shrink and inventory valuation reserves.
Our cost of sales may be negatively impacted as we open new stores. Changes in our merchandise mix may also have an
impact on cost of sales. This presentation of items included in cost of sales may not be comparable to the way in which
our competitors or other retailers compute their cost of sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
payroll, bonus, and benefit costs for retail store and corporate employees;
advertising and marketing costs;
occupancy costs related to our corporate office facilities;
stock-based compensation expense;
depreciation and amortization for all assets, except those related to our retail stores and distribution operations,
which are included in cost of sales; and
legal, finance, information systems, and other corporate overhead costs.
This presentation of items in selling, general and administrative expenses may not be comparable to the way in which
our competitors or other retailers compute their selling, general and administrative expenses.
33
Impairment, restructuring and other costs include long-lived asset impairment charges, restructuring costs associated
with store closings, costs associated with the suspension of our Canadian expansion, and employee related severance
costs.
Pre-opening expenses include non-capital expenditures during the period prior to store opening for new, remodeled, and
relocated stores including rent during the construction period for new and relocated stores, store set-up labor,
management and employee training, and grand opening advertising.
Interest expense (income), net includes both interest income and expense. Interest expense includes interest costs and
facility fees associated with our credit facility, which is structured as an asset-based lending instrument. Our credit
facility interest is based on a variable interest rate structure which can result in increased cost in periods of rising interest
rates. Interest income represents interest from cash equivalents and short-term investments with maturities of twelve
months or less from the date of purchase.
Income tax expense reflects the federal statutory tax rate and the weighted average state statutory tax rate for the states in
which we operate stores.
Results of operations
Our fiscal years are the 52- or 53-week periods ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. The Company’s fiscal
years ended January 30, 2021 (fiscal 2020), February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2019), and February 2, 2019 (fiscal 2018) were all
52-week years.
As of January 30, 2021, we operated 1,264 stores across 50 states. The following tables present the components of our
consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,151,953 $ 7,398,068 $ 6,716,615
4,307,304
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,409,311
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,202,794
1,949,159
4,717,004
2,681,064
January 30,
2021
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment, restructuring and other costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pre-opening expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense (income), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,583,017
114,322
15,000
236,820
5,735
231,085
55,250
175,835 $
1,760,716
—
19,254
901,094
(5,056)
906,150
200,205
705,945 $
1,535,464
—
19,767
854,080
(5,061)
859,141
200,582
658,559
Other operating data:
Number of stores end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comparable sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,264
(17.9)%
1,254
5.0%
1174
8.1%
34
(Percentage of net sales)
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
100.0%
68.3%
31.7%
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
100.0%
63.8%
36.2%
February 2,
2019
100.0%
64.1%
35.9%
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment, restructuring and other costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pre-opening expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense (income), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.7%
1.9%
0.2%
3.9%
0.1%
3.8%
0.9%
2.9%
23.8%
0.0%
0.3%
12.1%
(0.1)%
12.2%
2.7%
9.5%
22.9%
0.0%
0.3%
12.7%
(0.1)%
12.8%
3.0%
9.8%
Fiscal year 2020 versus fiscal year 2019
Net sales
Net sales decreased $1.2 billion, or 16.8%, to $6.2 billion in fiscal 2020 compared to $7.4 billion in fiscal 2019. The net
sales decrease was driven by the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the temporary closing of our
brick-and-mortar retail stores, social distancing and quarantines, reduction of operating hours, and limitations on in-store
capacity, and a decrease of $6.6 million in other revenue. Total comparable sales in fiscal 2020 decreased 17.9%
compared to an increase of 5.0% in fiscal 2019. During fiscal 2020, transactions declined 24.5% and average ticket
increased 8.8%.
Gross profit
Gross profit decreased $0.7 billion, or 27.3%, to $1.9 billion in fiscal 2020, compared to $2.7 billion in fiscal 2019.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased 450 basis points to 31.7% in fiscal 2020 compared to 36.2% in fiscal
2019. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to:
•
•
•
220 basis points of deleverage due to channel mix shifts;
220 basis points deleverage of fixed costs and 90 basis points of deleverage in salon services, both attributed to
the impact of lower sales; partially offset by
80 basis points of leverage driven by lower promotional activity and cost optimization efforts.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased $0.2 billion, or 10.1%, to $1.6 billion in fiscal 2020
compared to $1.8 billion in fiscal 2019. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 190 basis points to
25.7% in fiscal 2020 compared to 23.8% in fiscal 2019. The deleverage in SG&A expenses was primarily due to:
•
•
•
•
170 basis points of deleverage primarily due to higher corporate overhead;
80 basis points of deleverage of store payroll and benefits and variable store expenses due to the impact of
lower sales and personal protective equipment and COVID-related expenses; and
30 basis points of deleverage of marketing expenses attributed to the impact of lower sales volume; partially
offset by
90 basis points of leverage related to the employee retention credits made available under the CARES Act.
35
Impairment, restructuring and other costs
Impairment, restructuring and other costs were $114.3 million for fiscal 2020, which consisted of $41.9 million due to
the impairment of tangible long-lived assets and operating lease assets associated with certain retail stores, $29.1 million
related to the suspension of the planned expansion to Canada, $27.5 million related to the permanent closure of 19 stores,
and $15.8 million of severance charges. All restructuring expenses were recognized in fiscal 2020. There
was no impairment, restructuring and other costs in fiscal 2019.
Pre-opening expenses
Pre-opening expenses decreased $4.3 million, or 22.1%, to $15.0 million in fiscal 2020 compared to $19.3 million in
fiscal 2019 due to current year real estate activity and stores expected to open in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. During
fiscal 2020, we opened 30 new stores and relocated five stores. During fiscal 2019, we opened 86 new stores, remodeled
12 stores, and relocated eight stores.
Interest expense (income), net
Interest expense, net was $5.7 million in fiscal 2020 compared to $5.1 million of interest income, net in fiscal 2019.
Interest expense represents interest on borrowings and fees related to the credit facility. Interest income results from cash
equivalents and short-term investments with maturities of twelve months or less from the date of purchase. We did not
have any outstanding borrowings on our credit facility as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense of $55.3 million in fiscal 2020 represents an effective tax rate of 23.9%, compared to fiscal 2019
income tax expense of $200.2 million and an effective tax rate of 22.1%. The higher effective tax rate is primarily due to
less investment tax credits received and tax expense from the income tax accounting for stock-based compensation
compared to a benefit in fiscal 2019.
Net income
Net income decreased $530.1 million, or 75.1%, to $175.8 million in fiscal 2020 compared to $705.9 million in fiscal
2019. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a $731.9 million decrease in gross profit and a $114.3 million
increase in impairment, restructuring and other costs, partially offset by a $177.6 million decrease in SG&A expenses
and $145.0 million decrease in income taxes.
Fiscal year 2019 versus fiscal year 2018
Net sales
Net sales increased $0.7 billion, or 10.1%, to $7.4 billion in fiscal 2019 compared to $6.7 billion in fiscal 2018. The net
sales increases are due to the opening of 80 net new stores in 2019, a 5.0% increase in comparable sales, and an increase
of $23.4 million in other revenue. The 5.0% comparable sales increase included a 3.3% increase in transactions and a
1.7% increase in average ticket. We attribute the increase in comparable sales to our successful marketing and
merchandising strategies.
36
Gross profit
Gross profit increased $0.3 billion, or 11.3%, to $2.7 billion in fiscal 2019, compared to $2.4 billion in fiscal 2018. Gross
profit as a percentage of net sales increased 30 basis points to 36.2% in fiscal 2019 compared to 35.9% in fiscal 2018.
The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to:
•
•
•
50 basis points improvement in merchandise margins driven by our marketing and merchandising strategies and
benefits from our Efficiencies for Growth (EFG) initiatives;
20 basis points of leverage in fixed store costs attributed to the impact of higher sales volume, partially offset
by;
40 basis points of deleverage due to investments in our salon services and supply chain operation.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses increased $0.2 billion, or 14.7%, to $1.8 billion in fiscal 2019 compared to $1.5 billion in fiscal 2018.
As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 90 basis points to 23.8% in fiscal 2019 compared to 22.9% in
fiscal 2018. The deleverage in SG&A expenses was primarily due to:
•
•
•
•
80 basis points of deleverage primarily due to strategic investments in future growth opportunities and
infrastructure to support our EFG initiatives;
50 basis points of deleverage related to higher payroll and benefit-related expenses, partially offset by;
30 basis points of leverage in lower variable compensation expense; and
10 basis points of leverage in marketing expense attributed to strong sales growth.
Pre-opening expenses
Pre-opening expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 2.6%, to $19.3 million in fiscal 2019 compared to $19.8 million in
fiscal 2018. During fiscal 2019, we opened 86 new stores, remodeled 12 stores, and relocated eight stores. During fiscal
2018, we opened 107 new stores, remodeled 13 stores, and relocated two stores.
Interest income, net
Interest income, net was $5.1 million in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018. Interest income results from cash equivalents and
short-term investments with maturities of twelve months or less from the date of purchase. Interest expense represents
interest on borrowings and fees related to the credit facility. We did not have any outstanding borrowings on our credit
facility as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense of $200.2 million in fiscal 2019 represents an effective tax rate of 22.1%, compared to fiscal 2018
income tax expense of $200.6 million and an effective tax rate of 23.3%. The lower tax rate is primarily due to income
tax accounting for stock-based compensation and federal income tax credits.
Net income
Net income increased $47.4 million, or 7.2%, to $705.9 million in fiscal 2019 compared to $658.6 million in fiscal 2018.
The increase in net income was primarily due to a $271.8 million increase in gross profit partially offset by a
$225.3 million increase in SG&A expenses.
37
Liquidity and capital resources
Our primary cash needs are for rent, capital expenditures for new, remodeled, and relocated stores, increased
merchandise inventories related to store expansion and new brand additions, supply chain improvements, share
repurchases, and continued improvement in our information technology systems.
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, cash flows from operations,
including changes in working capital, and borrowings under our credit facility. The most significant components of our
working capital are merchandise inventories and cash and cash equivalents reduced by related accounts payable and
accrued expenses.
Our working capital needs are greatest from August through November each year as a result of our inventory build-up
during this period for the approaching holiday season. Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe
that cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, cash generated from operations, and borrowings under the credit
facility will satisfy the Company’s working capital needs, capital expenditure needs, commitments, and other liquidity
requirements through at least the next twelve months.
The following table presents a summary of our cash flows for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018:
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . .
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
810,355
(48,751)
(107,934)
56
653,726
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
$ 1,101,293
(471,480)
(646,739)
—
(16,926)
$
Operating activities
February 2,
2019
956,127
(215,107)
(609,214)
—
131,806
$
$
Operating activities consist of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization,
non-cash lease expense, long-lived asset impairment charge, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation expense,
realized gains or losses on disposal of property and equipment, and the effect of working capital changes. The fiscal
2020 decrease over fiscal 2019 is mainly due to the decrease in net income, merchandise inventories, and the timing of
accounts payable. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a decrease in gross profit resulting from lower sales
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in impairment, restructuring and other costs, partially offset by a
decrease in SG&A expenses and income taxes.
Merchandise inventories, net were $1.2 billion at January 30, 2021, compared to $1.3 billion at February 1, 2020,
representing a decrease of $125.5 million or 9.7%. The decrease in total inventory was primarily driven by reduced store
inventory due to a decline in store traffic trends, partially offset by an increase due to 10 net new stores opened since
February 1, 2020 and the opening of our Jacksonville fast fulfillment center.
Investing activities
We have historically used cash primarily for new, remodeled, relocated, and refreshed stores, supply chain investments,
short-term investments, and investments in information technology systems. Investment activities for capital
expenditures were $151.9 million in fiscal 2020 compared to $298.5 million and $319.4 million in fiscal 2019 and 2018,
respectively. Capital expenditures decreased in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 due to actions we took to preserve
liquidity as we navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceeds of short-term investments were $110.0 million
during fiscal 2020 and consist of certificates of deposit with maturities of three to twelve months from the date of
purchase. During fiscal 2020, we contributed $5.7 million to equity method investments.
38
The following table presents a summary of our store activities in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018:
Fiscal year ended
January 30, February 1, February 2,
2020
2019
2021
Stores opened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores remodeled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores relocated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stores refreshed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
–
5
–
86
12
8
240
107
13
2
109
During fiscal 2020, the average investment required to open a new Ulta Beauty store was approximately $1.4 million,
which includes capital investment net of landlord contributions, pre-opening expenses, and initial inventory net of
payables.
Capital expenditures for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 by major category are as follows:
(In millions)
New, Remodeled, and Relocated Stores . . . . . . . . . . . .
Merchandising and Refreshed Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information Technology Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supply Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Store Maintenance and Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
$
Budget
Fiscal
2021
79
36
47
30
33
225
$
$
Fiscal
2020
Fiscal
2019
Fiscal
2018
56
14
36
13
33
152
$
$
141
29
54
17
58
299
$
$
154
63
51
22
29
319
Our future investments will depend primarily on the number of new, remodeled, and relocated stores, information
technology systems, and supply chain investments that we undertake and the timing of these expenditures. Based on past
performance and current expectations, we believe our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund future capital
expenditures.
Financing activities
Financing activities in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 consist principally of borrowing and repayment of our revolving credit
facility, share repurchases, and capital stock transactions. Purchases of treasury shares represent the fair value of
common shares repurchased from plan participants in connection with shares withheld to satisfy minimum statutory tax
obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock.
We had no borrowings outstanding under our credit facility at the end of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018. At the beginning of
the COVID-19 pandemic, we drew down $800.0 million of our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility and suspended our
share repurchase program. We repaid the $800.0 million of borrowings on September 2, 2020 and resumed share
repurchases in the fourth quarter. The zero outstanding borrowings position continues to be due to a combination of
factors including an improvement in sales trends in the second half of the year, overall performance of management
initiatives including expense control as well as inventory and other working capital reductions. We may require
borrowings under the facility from time to time in future periods for unexpected business disruptions, to support our new
store program, share repurchases, and seasonal inventory needs.
Share repurchase plan
On March 15, 2018, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the 2018 Share
Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company could repurchase up to $625.0 million of the Company’s common
stock. The 2018 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but unused amount of
$41.3 million from the earlier share repurchase program. The 2018 Share Repurchase Program did not have an expiration
date but provided for suspension or discontinuation at any time.
39
On March 14, 2019, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the 2019
Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company could repurchase up to $875.0 million of the Company’s
common stock. The 2019 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but unused amount
of $25.4 million from the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. The 2019 Share Repurchase Program did not have an
expiration date but provided for suspension or discontinuation at any time.
On March 12, 2020, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the 2020
Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to $1.6 billion of the Company’s
common stock. The 2020 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but unused
amounts of $177.8 million from the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. The 2020 Share Repurchase Program does not
have an expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. On April 2, 2020, we announced that the
share repurchase program had been suspended in order to strengthen liquidity and preserve cash while navigating the
COVID-19 pandemic. The program resumed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
A summary of the Company’s common stock repurchase activity is presented in the following table:
(Dollars in millions)
Shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Credit facility
January 30,
2021
474,794
114.9 $
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
2,320,896
681.0 $
February 2,
2019
2,463,555
616.2
On March 11, 2020, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (as so
amended, the Loan Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent
and a Lender thereunder; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Lead Arrangers
and Bookrunners; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent and a Lender; PNC Bank, National Association,
as Documentation Agent and a Lender; and the other lenders party thereto. The Loan Agreement matures on March 11,
2025, provides maximum revolving loans equal to the lesser of $1.0 billion or a percentage of eligible owned inventory
and eligible owned receivables (which borrowing base may, at the election of the Company and satisfaction of certain
conditions, include a percentage of qualified cash), contains a $50.0 million subfacility for letters of credit and allows the
Company to increase the revolving facility by an additional $100.0 million, subject to the consent by each lender and
other conditions. The Loan Agreement contains a requirement to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than
1.0 to 1.0 during such periods when availability under the Loan Agreement falls below a specified threshold.
Substantially all of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for outstanding borrowings under the Loan
Agreement. Outstanding borrowings bear interest, at the Company’s election, at either a base rate plus a margin of 0% to
0.125% or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 1.125% to 1.250%, with such margins based on the
Company’s borrowing availability, and the unused line fee is 0.20% per annum.
As of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, we had no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility and we were in
compliance with all terms and covenants of the Loan Agreement.
Seasonality
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuation. Significant portions of our net sales and profits are realized during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to the holiday selling season. To a lesser extent, our business is also affected by
Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Any decrease in sales during these higher sales volume periods could have an
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results for the entire fiscal year. Our quarterly results of
operations have varied in the past and are likely to do so again in the future. As such, we believe that period-to-period
comparisons of our results of operations should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.
40
Impact of inflation and changing prices
Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to
date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross
margin and SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales if the selling prices of our products do not increase with these
increased costs. In addition, inflation could materially increase the interest rates on any future debt.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
As of January 30, 2021, we have not entered into any “off-balance sheet” arrangements, as that term is described by the
SEC. We do, however, have off-balance sheet purchase obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business as
indicated within the contractual obligations table below.
Contractual obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual arrangements and the timing and effect that such commitments are
expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. The table below includes obligations for executed
agreements for which we do not yet have the right to control the use of the property as of January 30, 2021:
(In thousands)
Operating lease obligations (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,227,650 $ 321,708 $ 683,114 $ 552,688 $ 670,140
—
Purchase obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,228,670 $ 322,728 $ 683,114 $ 552,688 $ 670,140
1,020
1,020
Total
—
—
Less Than
1 Year
1 to 3
Years
3 to 5
Years
More than 5
Years
(1) These amounts are for our undiscounted lease obligations recorded in our consolidated balance sheets, as operating
lease liabilities. Also included are legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced
of $75,782, which are excluded from operating lease liabilities shown on our consolidated balance sheets.
(2) The unrecognized tax benefit of $2.8 million as of January 30, 2021 is excluded due to uncertainty regarding the
realization and timing of the related future cash flows, if any.
Purchase obligations reflect legally binding agreements entered into by the Company to purchase goods or services.
Excluded from our purchase obligations are normal purchases and contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business. The amount of purchase obligations relates to commitments made to third-parties for products and services and
other goods and service contracts entered into as of January 30, 2021.
Critical accounting policies and estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated
financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The
preparation of these financial statements required the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of
our assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Management bases estimates on historical experience and other
assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances and evaluates these estimates on an on-going basis.
Actual results may differ from these estimates. A discussion of our more significant estimates follows. Management has
discussed the development, selection, and disclosure of these estimates and assumptions with the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors.
Inventory valuation
Merchandise inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value). Cost is determined using the
moving average cost method and includes costs incurred to purchase and distribute goods as well as related vendor
allowances including co-op advertising, markdowns, and volume discounts. We record valuation adjustments to our
inventories if the cost of a specific product on hand exceeds the amount we expect to realize from the ultimate sale or
41
disposal of the inventory. These estimates are based on management’s judgment regarding future demand, age of
inventory, and analysis of historical experience. If actual demand or market conditions are different than those projected
by management, future merchandise margin rates may be unfavorably or favorably affected by adjustments to these
estimates.
Inventories are adjusted for the results of periodic physical inventory counts at each of our locations. We record a shrink
reserve representing management’s estimate of inventory losses by location that have occurred since the date of the last
physical count. This estimate is based on management’s analysis of historical results and operating trends.
We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or
assumptions we use to calculate our inventory reserves. Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to
management’s estimates of the inventory reserves have been insignificant during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018. An
increase or decrease in the lower of cost or market (net realizable value) reserve of 10% would not have a material
impact on our operating income for fiscal 2020. An increase or decrease in the shrink rate included in the shrink reserve
calculation of 10% would not have a material impact on our operating income for fiscal 2020.
Vendor allowances
The majority of cash consideration received from a vendor is considered to be a reduction of the cost of the related
products and is reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations as the related products are sold
unless it is in exchange for an asset or service or a reimbursement of a specific, incremental, identifiable cost incurred by
the Company in selling the vendors’ products. We estimate the amount recorded as a reduction of inventory at the end of
each period based on a detailed analysis of inventory turns and management’s analysis of the facts and circumstances of
the various contractual agreements with vendors. We record cash consideration expected to be received from vendors in
receivables. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates or
assumptions we use to calculate our reduction of inventory. An increase or decrease in inventory turns of five basis
points would not have a material impact on our operating income for fiscal 2020.
Impairment of long-lived tangible assets
We review long-lived tangible assets whenever events or circumstances indicate these assets might not be recoverable.
Assets are primarily reviewed at the store level, which is the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified.
Significant estimates are used in determining future operating results of each store over its remaining lease term. An
impairment loss would be recorded if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. We do not
believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we
use to calculate our impairment charges. During fiscal 2020, we recognized $72.5 million of impairment of long-lived
tangible and right-of-use assets which consisted of $41.9 million due to impairment analysis which indicated that the
carrying values of certain long-lived assets exceeded their respective fair values, $19.6 million related to the suspension
of the planned expansion to Canada, and $11.0 million related to the permanent closure of 19 stores. No significant
impairment charges were recognized in fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2018.
Loyalty program
We maintain a customer loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards, which allows members to earn points based on purchases
of merchandise or services. Points earned are valid for at least one year. The loyalty program represents a material right
to the customer and points may be redeemed on future products and services. Revenue from the loyalty program is
recognized when the members redeem points or points expire. We defer revenue related to points earned that have not
yet been redeemed. The amount of deferred revenue includes estimates for the standalone selling price of points earned
by members and the percentage of points expected to be redeemed. The expected redemption percentage is based on
historical redemption patterns and considers current information or trends. The estimated redemption rate is evaluated
each reporting period. We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future
estimates or assumptions used to calculate the estimated redemption rate.
42
Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to management’s estimates of the redemption rates have been
insignificant during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018. An increase or decrease in the estimated redemption rate of 5% would
not have a material impact on our operating income in fiscal 2020.
Income taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the United States. Judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes
and income tax assets and liabilities, including evaluating uncertainties in the application of accounting principles and
complex tax laws.
We recognize deferred income taxes for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences
between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years
in which temporary differences are anticipated to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in
income tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period of enactment. A valuation
allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized unless
it is more-likely-than-not that such assets will be realized in full. The estimated tax benefit of an uncertain tax position is
recorded in our consolidated financial statements only after determining a more-likely-than-not probability that the
uncertain tax position will withstand challenge, if any, from applicable taxing authorities.
Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized on our consolidated
financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially
impact our consolidated financial statements.
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of significant accounting policies – Recent accounting
pronouncements not yet adopted.”
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of significant accounting policies – Recently adopted
accounting pronouncements.”
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market
prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency
exchange rates. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
Interest rate risk
We are exposed to interest rate risks primarily through borrowings under our credit facility. Interest on our borrowings is
based upon variable rates. We did not have any outstanding borrowings on our credit facility as of January 30, 2021,
February 1, 2020, or February 2, 2019.
A hypothetical 1% increase in interest rates on variable rate debt would have increased interest expense for fiscal 2020
by approximately $3.7 million.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
We are exposed to risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of our foreign operations into
U.S. dollars and on the purchase of goods by these foreign operations that are not denominated in their local currencies.
Our exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuations is not material to our financial condition or results of operations.
43
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See the index, consolidated financial statements, and notes to consolidated financial statements included under Item 15,
“Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.”
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting
We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company is
made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to the members of our senior management and Board of
Directors.
Based on management’s evaluation as of January 30, 2021, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we
file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the
time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the
Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the principal
executive officer and principal financial officer and effected by the Board of Directors, management, and other
personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S generally accepted accounting principles.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer,
management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2021, based on
the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer
and principal financial officer concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of
January 30, 2021. Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial
statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10 - K, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting as of January 30, 2021 and has issued the attestation report included in Item 15 of this Annual Report
on Form 10 - K.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes to our internal controls over financial reporting during the 13 weeks ended January 30, 2021 that
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
44
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
Part III
The information required by this item with respect to our executive officers is set forth in Part I, Item 4A of this Annual
Report on Form 10 - K under the caption “Executive Officers.” The additional information required by this item is
included under the captions “Corporate Governance – Code of Business Conduct,” “Corporate Governance –
Nomination Process – Qualifications,” “Corporate Governance – Proposal One – Election of Directors,” “Corporate
Governance – Information About Our Director Nominees,” “Corporate Governance – Information About Our Directors
Continuing in Office” and “Corporate Governance – Audit Committee” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Proxy Statement) and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
We have a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, Controller, and other persons performing similar functions. We have posted a copy of our Code of
Business Conduct under “Governance” in the Investor Relations section of our website located at
http://ir.ultabeauty.com, and such Code of Business Conduct is available in print, without charge, to any stockholder who
requests it from our Corporate Secretary. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8 - K
regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Conduct by posting such information under
“Governance” in the Investor Relations section of our website located at http://ir.ultabeauty.com. We are not including
the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on
Form 10 - K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is included under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,”
“Corporate Governance – Compensation Committee,” “Corporate Governance – Report of the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors,” and “Corporate Governance – Non-Executive Director Compensation for Fiscal 2020” in the
Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is
included under the caption “Stock - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy
Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference. The information required by this item with respect to compensation
plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of January 30, 2021 is set forth in Item 5 of this
Annual Report on Form 10 - K under the caption “Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.”
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is included under the captions “Corporate Governance – Independence,”
“Corporate Governance – Compensation Committee – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,”
and “Certain Relationships and Transactions” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is included under the caption “Corporate Governance – Proposal Two –
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Fees to Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
45
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10 - K:
Part IV
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Consolidated Statements of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
46
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ulta Beauty, Inc. (the Company) as of January 30,
2021, and February 1, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 30, 2021, and the related notes and
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial
statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company at January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, and the consolidated results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 30, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2021, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion
thereon.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
As discussed in the Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for
leases in 2019 due to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) using the modified retrospective approach.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those
risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
47
Critical audit matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial
statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to
accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging,
subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on
the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters
below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Description of the
matter
How we
addressed the
matter in our
audit
Impairment of Long-Lived Tangible and Right of Use Assets
As described in Notes 2 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluates if
there are indicators of impairment for long-lived tangible and right of use assets in accordance with
ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. The Company’s first step is to determine whether
indicators of impairment exist in its long-lived assets (property and equipment and leasehold
improvements and operating lease right-of-use assets) at the individual retail store level, which is the
lowest level at which cash flows can be identified. If indicators of impairment are identified for any
retail stores, the Company evaluates if the projected undiscounted cash flows derived from
continued retail operations by those stores are less than their carrying amounts. When this is the
case, the Company compares the calculated fair value of the respective retail store to its carrying
value. If fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded. For the year ended
January 30, 2021, the Company recorded impairment charges of $41,948 thousand and
$19,569 thousand related to operating retail stores and closed stores, respectively, as the Company
experienced lower than projected revenues for certain stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significant assumptions used in the Company’s projected undiscounted cash flow analyses included
estimates of future revenue growth rates and operating expenses. Additionally, significant
assumptions utilized in the fair value analyses included the aforementioned assumptions, as well as
market-based assumptions such as a discount rate and market rents. This led to a high degree of
auditor judgment and subjectivity in performing procedures and in assessing the assumptions
utilized to project the undiscounted cash flows generated by retail stores with indicators of
impairment, for purposes of determining if such cash flows were less than the carrying amount as
well as in evaluating the assumptions utilized to estimate the fair value of those retail stores to
calculate the impairment all of which can be affected by expectations about future market or
economic conditions including outcomes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of
controls over the Company’s processes over the identification of indicators of impairment, the
assessment of the projected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by retail stores with indicators
of impairment, the determination of the fair value of the retail stores and the measurement of any
resulting impairment. These controls include, among others, management’s evaluation of indicators
of impairment, management’s review of the assumptions utilized to develop the projected
undiscounted cash flows and the related fair value estimates, and management’s testing of the
completeness and accuracy of the underlying data utilized to project future operating results for the
retail stores.
Our testing of the Company’s impairment analyses included, among other procedures, testing the
completeness of retail stores evaluated for impairments, management’s process for developing the
undiscounted cash flows, evaluating the models used and evaluating significant assumptions
discussed above used to project the undiscounted cash flows and the incremental assumptions
discussed above used to estimate fair value. For example, we compared the significant assumptions
used by management to historical results and current industry and economic trends. We performed
sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the fair value of the
individual retail stores that would result from changes in the underlying assumptions. We involved
our valuation specialists to assist in our evaluation of the fair value estimate specific to evaluating
the discount rate and market rents.
48
Description of the
matter
Loyalty Program
The Company maintains a loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards, which offers members the ability to
earn and redeem points on purchases of products and services. As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the
consolidated financial statements, revenue from the loyalty program is recognized when the
members redeem points or points expire. The Company estimates the amount of revenue to defer
using the standalone selling price of the points earned and the expected redemption percentage. The
Company evaluates its estimated standalone selling price quarterly based on the value of products or
services purchased using points. The expected redemption percentage is based on historical
redemption patterns in conjunction with current information and trends.
Auditing the Company’s estimate of loyalty deferred revenue was complex because the calculation
involves subjective management assumptions for the standalone selling price and expected
redemption rate. In particular, the estimate is sensitive to these significant assumptions, which are
affected by expectations about future customer behavior.
How we
addressed the
matter in our
audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of the
Company’s estimation process and controls supporting the measurement and recognition of the
amount of loyalty revenue deferred. This included testing controls over management’s review of the
assumptions and other inputs used in the estimation, the completeness and accuracy of issuance and
redemption data used in the calculation and controls over the assignment of membership levels
based on customer spending patterns.
Our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the methodology used, analyzing the
significant assumptions discussed above, and testing the accuracy and completeness of the
underlying data used in management’s calculation. To audit the standalone selling price per point,
we validated that the price per point for each membership level was appropriate based on products
or services purchased by loyalty members. To audit the redemption rate, we tested redemption
activity and compared the results of that testing to the redemption rate used by management in its
estimate. We also considered recent trends in redemption activity and the impact on the redemption
rate. In addition, we performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the change
in the deferral amounts.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1997.
Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 2021
49
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Stockholders’ and the Board of Directors Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Ulta Beauty, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2021, based on criteria
established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Ulta Beauty, Inc. (the Company)
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2021, based on
COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, the
related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended January 30, 2021, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the
Index at Item 15 and our report dated March 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s
annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and
the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
50
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 2021
51
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
(In thousands, except per share data)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Receivables, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Merchandise inventories, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,046,051 $
—
193,109
1,168,215
107,402
—
2,514,777
Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating lease assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred compensation plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
995,795
1,504,614
10,870
2,465
33,223
28,225
5,089,969 $
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current operating lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
477,052 $
296,334
274,383
253,415
42,529
1,343,713
Non-current operating lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,643,386
65,359
37,962
3,090,420
392,325
110,000
139,337
1,293,701
103,567
16,387
2,055,317
1,205,524
1,537,565
10,870
3,391
27,849
23,356
4,863,872
414,009
246,088
237,535
239,629
—
1,137,261
1,698,718
89,367
36,432
2,961,778
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 400,000 shares authorized; 56,952 and 57,285 shares issued;
56,260 and 56,609 shares outstanding; at January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020,
respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock-common, at cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
569
(37,801)
847,303
1,189,422
56
1,999,549
5,089,969 $
573
(34,448)
807,492
1,128,477
—
1,902,094
4,863,872
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
52
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,151,953 $ 7,398,068 $ 6,716,615
4,307,304
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,409,311
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,717,004
2,681,064
4,202,794
1,949,159
January 30,
2021
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment, restructuring and other costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pre-opening expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense (income), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,583,017
114,322
15,000
236,820
5,735
231,085
55,250
175,835 $
1,760,716
—
19,254
901,094
(5,056)
906,150
200,205
705,945 $
1,535,464
—
19,767
854,080
(5,061)
859,141
200,582
658,559
Net income per common share:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.12 $
3.11 $
12.21 $
12.15 $
11.00
10.94
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56,351
56,558
57,840
58,105
59,864
60,181
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
53
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other comprehensive income:
January 30,
2021
175,835 $
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
705,945 $
February 2,
2019
658,559
Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
56
175,891
$
—
705,945 $
—
658,559
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
54
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
January 30,
2021
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
175,835 $ 705,945 $
658,559
(In thousands)
Operating activities
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash lease expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-lived asset impairment charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on disposal of property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Merchandise inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investing activities
Purchases of short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of equity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of treasury shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
297,772
268,071
72,533
(24,008)
27,583
6,827
295,599
278,820
—
5,503
25,045
5,850
(53,772)
125,486
(4,363)
58,916
62,324
58,599
36,848
(297,513)
—
(783)
810,355
(20,637)
(79,372)
9,289
610
9,993
28,183
38,481
(256,910)
—
54,894
1,101,293
—
110,000
(151,866)
(1,220)
(5,665)
(48,751)
800,000
(800,000)
(114,895)
12,229
(3,353)
(1,915)
(107,934)
(110,000)
—
(298,534)
—
(62,946)
(471,480)
—
—
(680,979)
43,780
(9,540)
—
(646,739)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
653,726
392,325
—
(16,926)
409,251
$ 1,046,051 $ 392,325 $
Supplemental information
Cash paid for interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes paid, net of refunds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
6,987 $
19,454
20,487
— $
133,861
26,901
—
195,869
28,746
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
55
279,472
—
—
34,080
26,636
2,885
(36,387)
(122,019)
(39,450)
(29,609)
78,256
29,265
50,684
—
27,064
(3,309)
956,127
(386,193)
506,193
(319,400)
(13,606)
(2,101)
(215,107)
—
—
(616,194)
13,121
(6,141)
—
(609,214)
—
131,806
277,445
409,251
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S
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share and store count data)
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 Annual Report on Form 10 - K, 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 January 30,
2021, the Company operated 1,264 stores across 50 states. All amounts are stated in thousands, with the exception of per
share amounts and number of stores.
The Company has one reportable segment, which includes retail stores, salon services, and e-commerce.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Fiscal year
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. The Company’s fiscal
years ended January 30, 2021 (fiscal 2020), February 1, 2020 (fiscal 2019), and February 2, 2019 (fiscal 2018) were
52- week years.
Consolidation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts, transactions, and unrealized profit were eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the accounting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers its accounting policies relating to
inventory valuations, vendor allowances, impairment of long-lived tangible and operating lease assets, loyalty program
and income taxes to be the most significant accounting policies that involve management estimates and judgments. The
COVID-19 pandemic has created and may continue to create significant uncertainty in macroeconomic conditions,
which may cause further business disruptions and adversely impact the Company’s results of operations. While the full
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company has made accounting
estimates based on the facts and circumstances available as of the reporting date. Actual amounts could differ from these
estimates, and such differences could be material.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
57
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or
less from the date of purchase. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for
credit card and debit card transactions. These receivables typically settle in five days or less with little or no default risk.
(In thousands)
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Receivables from third-party financial institutions for credit card and debit card
transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58,766
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,046,051 $
Short-term investments
February 1,
January 30,
2021
887,299 $
99,986
2020
212,876
110,000
69,449
392,325
The balance sheet classification of investments is determined at the time of purchase and evaluated at each balance sheet
date. Money market funds, certificates of deposit, and time deposits with maturities of greater than three months but no
more than twelve months are carried at cost, which approximates fair value and are recorded in the consolidated balance
sheets in short-term investments (see Note 16, “Investments”).
Receivables
Receivables consist principally of amounts due from vendors and amounts related to the employee retention credit (see
Note 3, “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”). The Company does not require collateral on its receivables and does not
accrue interest. Credit risk with respect to receivables is limited due to the diversity of vendors comprising the
Company’s vendor base. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its vendors and evaluates the
collectability of its receivables based on the length of time the receivable is past due and historical experience.
The receivable for vendor allowances was $90,271 and $113,048 as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020,
respectively. The allowance for doubtful receivables was $768 and $1,363 as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020,
respectively. The receivable for the employee retention credit was $52,405 as of January 30, 2021. There was no
receivable for the employee retention credit as of February 1, 2020.
Merchandise inventories
Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the moving
average cost method and includes costs incurred to purchase and distribute goods. Inventory cost also includes vendor
allowances related to co-op advertising, markdowns, and volume discounts. The Company maintains an inventory
reserve for lower of cost or net realizable value and shrink. The inventory reserve was $52,860 and $46,941 as of
January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, respectively.
Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable
approximates their estimated fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments. There was no outstanding debt
as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020.
58
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, and depreciated using the straight-line method
over the shorter of the assets’ estimated useful lives or lease term. Leasehold improvements purchased after the
beginning of the initial lease term are amortized over the shorter of the assets’ useful lives or a term that includes the
original lease term, plus any renewals that are reasonably certain at the date the leasehold improvements are acquired.
Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Equipment and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 10 years
3 to 5 years
Electronic equipment and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Costs incurred to obtain or develop internal use software are capitalized. These costs are amortized on a straight-line
basis over the estimated useful life of the software.
Impairment of long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets
The asset group is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available and largely independent of
the cash flows of other groups of assets. The asset group identified is at the store level and includes both property and
equipment and operating lease assets.
Significant estimates are used in determining future cash flows of each store over its remaining lease term including our
expectations of future projected cash flows including revenues and operating expenses. An impairment loss is recorded if
the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.
The Company evaluates long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets for indicators of impairment quarterly or when events
or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company performs an
undiscounted cash flow analysis over the asset group. Asset groups are written down only to the extent that their carrying
value exceeds their respective fair value. Fair values of the asset group are determined by discounting the cash flows at a
rate that approximates the cost of capital of a market participant. Management’s forecast of future cash flows is based on
the income approach. The fair value of individual operating lease assets is determined under the market approach using
estimated market rent assessments based on broker quotes.
The determination of fair value under the income approach requires assumptions including forecasts of future cash flows
(such as revenue growth rates and operating expenses) and selection of a market-based discount rate. Estimates of market
rent are based on non-binding broker quotes. As these inputs are unobservable they are classified as Level 3 inputs under
the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, “Fair value measurements”). If actual results are not consistent with estimates and
assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, the Company may be exposed to additional
impairment losses in a future period (see Note 6, “Impairment, restructuring and other costs”).
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. The Company reviews the recoverability
of goodwill annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would
indicate that impairment may exist (see Note 8, “Goodwill”).
Other intangible assets
Other definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. The Company reviews the recoverability of
intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be
recoverable (see Note 9, “Other intangible assets”).
59
Leases
The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) on February 3, 2019 using the modified retrospective
approach. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning February 3, 2019 and later are presented
under Topic 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under Topic 840.
The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. The lease classification
evaluation begins at the lease commencement date. The lease term used in the evaluation includes the non-cancellable
period for which the Company has the right to use the underlying asset, together with renewal option periods when the
exercise of the renewal option is reasonably certain.
Total rent payable is recorded during the lease term, including rent escalations in which the amount of future rent is fixed
on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease (including the rent holiday period beginning upon control of the
premises and any fixed payments stated in the lease). For leases with an initial term greater than 12 months, a related
lease liability is recorded on the balance sheet at the present value of future payments discounted at the estimated fully
collateralized incremental borrowing rate (discount rate) corresponding with the lease term. In addition, a right-of-use
asset is recorded as the initial amount of the lease liability, plus any lease payments made to the lessor before or at the
lease commencement date and any initial direct costs incurred, less any tenant improvement allowance incentives
received. Tenant incentives are amortized through the right-of-use asset as reduction of rent expense over the lease term.
The difference between the minimum rents paid and the straight-line rent is reflected within the associated right-of-use
asset.
Certain leases contain provisions that require variable payments based upon sales volume or payment of common area
maintenance costs, real estate taxes, and insurance related to leases (variable lease cost). Variable lease costs are
expensed as incurred. This results in some variability in lease expense as a percentage of revenues over the term of the
lease in stores where variable lease costs are paid. Contingent rent is accrued each period as the liabilities are incurred, in
addition to the straight-line rent expense. This results in some variability in lease expense as a percentage of revenues
over the term of the lease in stores where contingent rent is paid.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (short-term leases) are not recorded on the balance sheet. Short-term
lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company subleases certain real estate to third parties for stores with excess square footage space.
The Company does not separate lease and non-lease components (e.g., common area maintenance).
As the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate
corresponding with the lease term. As there are no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s credit facility, this rate
is estimated based on prevailing market conditions, comparable company and credit analysis, and judgment. The
incremental borrowing rate is reassessed if there is a change to the lease term or if a modification occurs and it is not
accounted for as a separate contract (see Note 10, “Leases”).
Loyalty program
The Company maintains a loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards, which allows members to earn points based on purchases
of merchandise or services. Points earned are valid for at least one year. The loyalty program represents a material right
to the customer and points may be redeemed on future products and services. Revenue from the loyalty program is
recognized when the members redeem points or points expire. The Company defers revenue related to points earned that
have not yet been redeemed. The amount of deferred revenue includes estimates for the standalone selling price of points
earned by members and the percentage of points expected to be redeemed. The expected redemption percentage is based
on historical redemption patterns and considers current information or trends.
When a guest redeems points or the points expire, the Company recognizes revenue in net sales on the consolidated
statements of operations.
60
Credit cards
The Company has agreements (the Agreements) with third parties to provide guests with private label credit cards and/or
co-branded credit cards (collectively, the Credit Cards). The private label credit card can be used at any store location
and online, and the co-branded credit card can be used anywhere the co-branded card is accepted. A third-party financing
company is the sole owner of the accounts and underwrites the credit issued under the Credit Card programs. The
Company’s performance obligation is to maintain the Ultamate Rewards loyalty program as only guests enrolled in the
loyalty program can apply for the Credit Cards. Loyalty members earn points through purchases at Ulta Beauty and
anywhere the co-branded credit card is accepted.
The third parties reimburse the Company for certain credit card program costs such as advertising and loyalty points,
which help promote the credit card program. The Company recognizes revenue when collectability is reasonably
assured, under the assumption the amounts are not constrained and it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will
not occur in future periods, which is generally the time at which the actual usage of the Credit Cards or specified
transaction occurs.
The Company accounts for the amounts associated with the Agreements as a single contract with the sole commercial
objective to maintain the Credit Card programs. As a result, all amounts associated with the Agreements are recognized
within net sales on the consolidated statements of operations.
Gift card program
The Company records a contract liability for gift card sales which will be redeemed in the future within deferred
revenue on the consolidated balance sheets and recognized in net sales when the gift card is redeemed for product or
services. Gift cards do not expire and do not include service fees that decrease guest balances. The Company has
maintained historical data related to gift card transactions sold and redeemed over a significant time frame. Gift card
breakage (amounts not expected to be redeemed) is recognized to the extent there is no requirement for remitting
balances to governmental agencies under unclaimed property laws. Estimated gift card breakage revenue is recognized
over time in proportion to actual gift card redemptions. Gift card breakage revenue was $11,717, $12,448, and $12,446
in fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the guest, in an amount that
reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:
Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a guest;
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;
•
•
• Determination of the transaction price;
• Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
• Recognition of revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied.
Net sales include retail stores and e-commerce merchandise sales as well as salon services and other revenue.
Revenue from merchandise sales at retail stores is recognized at the point of sale, net of estimated returns. Revenue from
e-commerce merchandise sales is recognized upon shipment to the guest or guest pickup of the merchandise based on
meeting the transfer of control criteria, net of estimated returns. Salon services revenue is recognized at the time the
service is provided to the guest. Shipping and handling are treated as costs to fulfill the contract and not a separate
performance obligation. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue for its single performance obligation related to e-
commerce sales at the time control of the merchandise passes to the customer, which is at the time of shipment or guest
pickup. The Company provides refunds for merchandise returns within 60 days from the original purchase date;
however, due to store closures during the first half of fiscal 2020, we extended our return policy to 180 days through
November 16, 2020. State sales taxes are presented on a net basis as the Company considers itself a pass-through conduit
61
for collecting and remitting state sales tax. Company coupons and other incentives are recorded as a reduction of net
sales.
Vendor allowances
The Company receives allowances from vendors in the normal course of business including advertising and markdown
allowances, purchase volume discounts and rebates, reimbursement for defective merchandise, and certain selling and
display expenses. Substantially all vendor allowances are recorded as a reduction of the vendor’s product cost and are
recognized in cost of sales as the product is sold.
Advertising
Advertising costs consist principally of print, digital and social media, and television and radio advertising. Costs related
to advertising are expensed in the period the related promotional event occurs. Prepaid advertising costs included in
prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets were $7,112 and $9,605 as of January 30,
2021 and February 1, 2020, respectively. Advertising expense, exclusive of incentives from vendors and start-up
advertising expense, is presented in the following table:
(In thousands)
Advertising expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Advertising expense as a percentage of net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
281,573 $
4.6%
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
317,865 $
4.3%
February 2,
2019
294,489
4.4%
Pre-opening expenses
Non-capital expenditures incurred prior to the grand opening of a new, remodeled, or relocated store are expensed as
incurred.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise sold, including substantially all vendor allowances, which are treated as a
reduction of merchandise costs; distribution costs including labor and related benefits, freight, rent, depreciation and
amortization, real estate taxes, utilities, and insurance; shipping and handling costs; retail stores occupancy costs
including rent, depreciation and amortization, real estate taxes, utilities, repairs and maintenance, insurance, and licenses;
salon services payroll and benefits; and shrink and inventory valuation reserves.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses includes payroll, bonus, and benefit costs for retail and corporate
employees; advertising and marketing costs; occupancy costs related to our corporate office facilities; stock-based
compensation expense; depreciation and amortization for all assets, except those related to our retail store and
distribution operations, which are included in cost of sales; and legal, finance, information systems, and other corporate
overhead costs.
Income taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. The amounts reported were derived using the enacted tax rates in
effect for the year the differences are expected to reverse.
Income tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions are recognized only when it is more likely than not that the tax
position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of
the position and presumes that each uncertain tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full
62
knowledge of all relevant information. Penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax positions are recorded in income
tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations (see Note 13, “Income taxes”).
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. Stock-based compensation expense was
$27,583, $25,642, and $27,489 in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively (see Note 17, “Stock-based compensation”).
Insurance expense
The Company has insurance programs with third party insurers for employee health, workers compensation, and general
liability, among others, to limit the Company’s liability exposure. The insurance programs are premium based and
include retentions, deductibles, and stop loss coverage. Current stop loss coverage per claim is $350 for employee health
claims, $100 for general liability claims, and $250 for workers compensation claims. The Company makes collateral and
premium payments during the plan year and accrues expenses in the event additional premium is due from the Company
based on actual claim results. In fiscal 2018, the Company created UB Insurance, Inc., an Arizona-based wholly owned
captive insurance subsidiary of the Company, which charges the operating subsidiaries of the Company premiums to
insure certain liability exposures. Pursuant to Arizona insurance regulations, UB Insurance, Inc. maintains certain levels
of cash and cash equivalents related to its liability exposures.
Net income per common share
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-
average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share
includes dilutive common stock equivalents, using the treasury stock method (see Note 18, “Net income per common
share”).
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
Taxes – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
2019-12, Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The guidance removes certain exceptions for
recognizing deferred taxes for equity method investments, performing intraperiod allocation, and calculating income
taxes in interim periods. The ASU also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing
deferred taxes for goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group, among others. This guidance is
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the standard is
permitted, including adoption in interim or annual periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The
transition requirements are dependent upon each amendment within this update and will be applied either prospectively
or retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
Intangibles – Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software
(Subtopic 350- 40): Customers Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement
That is a Service Contract, which clarifies and aligns the accounting for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a
hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to
develop or obtain internal-use software. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2019 and should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred
after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new guidance prospectively as of
63
February 2, 2020, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position,
results of operations, or cash flows.
3. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. In response to federal, state, and
local government restrictions and recommendations and for the health and safety of our associates and guests, the
Company temporarily closed all stores effective March 19, 2020. Effective April 19, 2020, the Company temporarily
furloughed many store and salon associates and introduced curbside pickup, and on May 11, 2020, the Company started
a phased store reopening process. By July 20, 2020, the full fleet of Ulta Beauty stores was operational, and by
January 30, 2021, salon and brow services had resumed in almost all stores.
Results of operations for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 were significantly impacted by the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic is expected to 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 COVID-19
pandemic continues to evolve and resurgences occur, 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 potential temporary reclosing of certain stores, the potential temporary restrictions on certain store operating hours
and/or in-store capacity, the duration of potential future quarantines, shelter-in-place and other travel restrictions within
the U.S. and other affected countries, the duration of the pandemic and any more dangerous variants of the virus, the
duration, timing and severity of the impact on consumer spending, the timing and effectiveness of vaccine distribution,
and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume, all of which are highly
uncertain and cannot be predicted.
The multi-year, strategic investments the Company made to enhance omnichannel and supply chain capabilities,
combined with the ongoing commitment of the Company’s distribution associates, enabled the Company to support
increased e-commerce demand and guest engagement.
The Company took the following actions during fiscal 2020 to preserve financial liquidity through these unprecedented
circumstances:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the drawdown of $800,000 on March 18, 2020 under the Company’s revolving credit facility, which was repaid
in full on September 2, 2020;
limited new hires and delayed merit increases for all corporate, store, and salon associates;
reduced marketing, travel and controllable expenses;
aligned inventory receipts with current sales trends;
prioritized payment obligations;
reduced new store openings, relocations and remodel projects; and
suspended the stock repurchase program, which resumed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
The Company evaluates long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets for indicators of impairment quarterly or when events
or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. As a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, the Company experienced lower than projected revenues and identified indicators of impairment for certain
stores, which resulted in the recording of certain long-lived asset impairment and restructuring charges. See Note 6,
“Impairment, restructuring and other costs,” for additional details.
64
CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted. The CARES Act,
among other things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll taxes, deferment of employer side social security
payments, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest
deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The
most significant relief measures which the Company qualifies for are the employee retention credit, payroll tax deferral,
and technical corrections to tax depreciation.
The Company recognizes government grants for which there is a reasonable assurance of compliance with grant
conditions and receipt of credits. The Company believes there is a reasonable assurance that it will comply with the
relevant conditions of the employee retention credit provision of the CARES Act and that it will receive the credit. The
Company will continue to assess the treatment of the CARES Act to the extent additional guidance and regulations are
issued, the further applicability of the CARES Act to the Company, and the potential impacts on the business.
Employee retention credit (ERC) and payroll tax deferral. The ERC allows for a refundable tax credit against certain
employment taxes equal to 50% of the first ten thousand dollars in qualified wages paid to each employee commencing
on March 13, 2020 and through January 1, 2021. To be eligible, the Company must (i) have had operations fully or
partially suspended because of a shut-down order from a governmental authority related to the COVID-19 pandemic, or
(ii) have had gross receipts decline by more than 50% in a calendar quarter, when compared to the same quarter in 2019.
Qualified wages are limited to wages paid to employees who were not providing services due to the COVID-19
pandemic. During the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021, the Company recognized $52,405 related to the ERC as a
reduction of the associated costs within selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of
operations and within accounts receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets.
Additionally, the CARES Act contains provisions for the deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes
incurred through the end of calendar 2020. As of January 30, 2021, the Company had deferred $43,845 in social security
tax payments, of which 50% are required to be remitted by December 2021 and the remaining 50% by December 2022.
The deferred amounts are recorded within accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Technical corrections to tax depreciation. The CARES Act also includes a technical correction of tax depreciation
methods for qualified improvement property, which changes 39-year property to 15-year property eligible for 100% tax
bonus depreciation. This provision of the CARES Act resulted in a cash tax refund of $4,600 relating to property and
equipment, from filing an amendment to the Company’s 2018 federal income tax return, during fiscal 2020.
4. Acquisitions
The Company has made investments to evolve the customer experience, with a strong emphasis on integrating
technology across the business. To support these efforts, the Company paid $13,606 to acquire two technology
companies in fiscal 2018.
On September 10, 2018, the Company acquired QM Scientific, an artificial intelligence technology company. The
acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On October 29, 2018, the Company acquired GlamST, an augmented reality technology company. The acquisition is not
material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
65
5. Revenue
Net sales include retail stores and e-commerce merchandise sales as well as salon services and other revenue. Other
revenue sources include the private label and co-branded credit card programs, as well as deferred revenue related to the
loyalty program and gift card breakage.
Disaggregated revenue
The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of net sales by primary category:
Cosmetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skincare, bath, and fragrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Haircare products and styling tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other (nail products, accessories, and other) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue
January 30,
2021
44%
28%
20%
3%
5%
100%
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
50%
22%
19%
5%
4%
100%
2019
51%
21%
19%
5%
4%
100%
Deferred revenue primarily represents contract liabilities for the Company’s obligation to transfer additional goods or
services to a guest for which the Company has received consideration, such as unredeemed Ultamate Rewards loyalty
points and unredeemed Ulta Beauty gift cards. In addition, breakage on gift cards is recognized proportionately as
redemption occurs.
The following table provides a summary of the changes included in deferred revenue during fiscal years 2020 and 2019:
(In thousands)
Beginning balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Additions to contract liabilities (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deductions to contract liabilities (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ending balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
230,011 $
200,267
(161,246)
269,032 $
February 1,
2020
193,585
206,701
(170,275)
230,011
(1) Loyalty points and gift cards issued in the current period but not redeemed or expired.
(2) Revenue recognized in the current period related to the beginning liability.
Other amounts included in deferred revenue were $5,351 and $7,524 at January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020,
respectively.
66
6. Impairment, restructuring and other costs
The following table provides a summary of the impairment, restructuring and other costs included in the consolidated
statements of operations:
Fiscal year ended
(In thousands)
Impairment of long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Store closures
Impairment of long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lease termination costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Severance (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total store closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension of Canadian expansion
Impairment of long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lease termination costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Severance (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total suspension of Canadian expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
41,948
19,569
7,443
489
27,501
11,016
17,388
717
29,121
Other severance (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
15,752
114,322
(1) Amount included in the non-cash $72,533 long-lived asset impairment charge on the consolidated statements of
cash flows for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021.
(2) As of January 30, 2021, there was $9,476 in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets primarily for
severance.
(3) There were no impairment, restructuring and other costs recognized during the fiscal years ended February 1,
2020 and February 2, 2019.
Impairment of long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company
experienced lower than projected revenues and identified indicators of impairment for certain retail stores. The
Company’s analysis indicated that the carrying values of certain long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets exceeded
their respective fair values. As a result, the Company recognized impairment charges related to certain retail stores for
the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021. These impairment charges were primarily driven by lower than projected
revenues, lower market rate assessments, and the effect of temporary store closures as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic. The Company also recorded long-lived tangible and right-of-use asset impairment charges related to store
closures and suspension of the Canadian expansion during the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 as described below.
Store closures. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company announced that after evaluating its store portfolio,
it would permanently close 19 stores in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Accordingly, for the fiscal year ended
January 30, 2021, the Company recognized impairment, restructuring and other costs related to store closures. The
impairment charges reduced the carrying value of the long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets to their fair value.
Suspension of Canadian expansion. In fiscal 2019, the Company announced plans to expand internationally with an
initial launch into Canada. The Company continues to believe international markets provide a long-term growth
opportunity. However, given the current operating environment, in September 2020 the Company decided to prioritize
growth of its U.S. operations at this time and suspended its planned expansion to Canada. Investments to support the
expansion into Canada were limited to early-stage infrastructure buildout and lease obligations for a small number of
67
stores. The Company recognized impairment, restructuring and other costs related to suspension of the Canada
expansion during the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021.
Other severance. As part of the efforts to optimize its cost structure, the Company eliminated certain field and corporate
roles. As a result, severance expense was recognized during the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021.
7. Property and equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
(In thousands)
Equipment and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,083,509
782,036
Leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
649,603
Electronic equipment and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52,668
Construction-in-progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,567,816
(1,572,021)
995,795
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
$
1,073,764
803,398
596,323
92,355
2,565,840
(1,360,316)
1,205,524
$
8. Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill during the fiscal years 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at the end of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
10,870 $
—
10,870 $
February 1,
2020
10,870
—
10,870
9. Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets subject to amortization consists of the following:
January 30, 2021
February 1, 2020
(In thousands)
Developed technology . . . .
Weighted-average
remaining useful
life in years
2.7
Gross
carrying
value
$ 4,631 $
Accumulated
amortization
Net
(2,166) $ 2,465 $ 4,631
Gross
carrying
value
Accumulated
amortization Net
(1,240) $ 3,391
$
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $926, $926, and $314 in fiscal 2020, fiscal 2019, and fiscal 2018,
respectively.
68
Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets at January 30, 2021, for the next five years and thereafter is
as follows:
Estimated
amortization
expense
Fiscal year
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2026 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(In thousands)
926
926
613
—
—
—
2,465
$
10. Leases
The Company leases retail stores, distribution centers, fast fulfillment centers, corporate offices, and certain equipment
under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2033. Leases generally have initial lease
terms of 10 years and when determined applicable, include renewal options under substantially the same terms and
conditions as the original leases. Leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive
covenants.
All retail store, distribution center, fast fulfillment center, and corporate office leases are classified as operating leases.
The Company does not have any finance leases.
The following table presents supplemental balance sheet information, the weighted-average remaining lease term, and
discount rate for operating leases:
(In thousands)
Classification on the Balance Sheet
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
Right-of-use assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating lease assets
$ 1,504,614 $ 1,537,565
Current lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current operating lease liabilities $ 253,415 $
239,629
Non-current lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current operating lease
liabilities
Weighted-average remaining lease term . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted-average discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,643,386
1,698,718
$ 1,896,801 $ 1,938,347
6.9 years
3.6%
7.3 years
4.1%
69
Lease cost
The following table presents the components of lease cost for operating leases:
(In thousands)
Classification on the Statement of Operations
Operating lease cost . . . . . . . . Cost of sales (1)
Variable lease cost . . . . . . . . . Cost of sales
Short-term lease cost . . . . . . . . Selling, general and administrative expenses
Sublease income . . . . . . . . . . . Net sales
Total lease cost . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal Year Ended
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
$
$
304,743 $
80,557
567
(827)
385,040 $
289,007
77,142
352
(691)
365,810
(1) The majority of operating lease cost relates to retail stores, distribution centers, and fast fulfillment centers and
is classified within cost of sales. Operating lease cost for corporate offices is classified within the selling,
general and administrative expenses. Operating lease cost from the control date through store opening date is
classified within pre-opening expenses.
Other information
The following table presents supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to operating leases:
Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands)
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 354,133 $ 338,942
355,286
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities (non-cash) . . . . . .
255,966
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
(1) Excludes $33,092 and $71,294 related to cash received for tenant incentives as of January 30, 2021 and
February 1, 2020, respectively.
Maturity of lease liabilities
The following table presents maturities of operating lease liabilities as of January 30, 2021:
(In thousands)
Fiscal year
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 319,430
353,137
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
316,199
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
283,813
2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
254,364
2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2026 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
624,925
Total lease payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,151,868
Less: imputed interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(255,067)
Present value of operating lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,896,801
Operating lease payments exclude $75,782 of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but not yet
commenced.
70
11. Commitments and contingencies
Contractual obligations – As of January 30, 2021, the Company had various non-cancelable obligations of $1,020
related to commitments made for goods and service contracts. All of these agreements expire over one year.
General litigation – The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of the
business including both class action and single plaintiff litigation. In the opinion of management, the amount of any
liability with respect to these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
12. Accrued liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
(In thousands)
Accrued payroll, bonus, and employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Accrued taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
143,992 $
36,787
115,555
296,334 $
February 1,
2020
77,435
39,051
129,602
246,088
13. Income taxes
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
(In thousands)
Current:
January 30,
2021
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
February 2,
2020
2019
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred:
$
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
67,724 $
11,534
79,258
163,596 $
31,106
194,702
137,255
29,247
166,502
(19,631)
(4,377)
(24,008)
55,250 $
1,182
4,321
5,503
200,205 $
29,374
4,706
34,080
200,582
A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
Federal statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State effective rate, net of federal tax benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive compensation limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess deduction of stock compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
21.0 %
2.9 %
1.2 %
(0.3)%
(0.9)%
23.9 %
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
21.0 %
3.1 %
0.2 %
(1.1) %
(1.1) %
22.1 %
February 2,
2019
21.0 %
3.1 %
0.2 %
(0.6) %
(0.4) %
23.3 %
71
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
Operating lease liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Reserves not currently deductible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory valuation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOL carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Credit carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax liabilities:
Operating lease asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Receivables not currently includable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net deferred tax liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
484,780 $
32,590
31,056
23,687
8,386
255
291
—
581,045
561,605
32,812
46,013
3,720
585
1,669
646,404
(65,359) $
496,977
35,626
27,363
22,907
4,021
288
224
1,019
588,425
567,198
61,570
45,354
2,863
807
—
677,792
(89,367)
At January 30, 2021, the Company had $291 of credit carryforwards for state income tax purposes that expire between
2022 and 2024. The Company also had $533 of state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards that expire by 2039 and
$985 of federal and $36 of state NOL carryforwards that do not expire.
The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with the ASC 740-10 rules for income taxes. The
reserve for uncertain tax positions was $2,783 and $3,536 at January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, respectively. The
balance is the Company’s best estimate of the potential liability for uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation of
unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows:
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Increase due to a prior year tax position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease due to a prior year tax position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at end of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
3,536 $
224
(977)
2,783 $
3,844
602
(910)
3,536
The Company acknowledges that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change in the next twelve months.
However, it does not expect the change to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. Income tax-
related interest and penalties were insignificant for fiscal 2020 and 2019.
The Company files tax returns in the U.S. federal and state jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S.
federal examinations by the Internal Revenue Service for years before 2018 and is no longer subject to examinations by
state authorities before 2016.
14. Debt
On March 11, 2020, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
(as so amended, the Loan Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent and a Lender thereunder; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Lead
Arrangers and Bookrunners; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent and a Lender; PNC Bank, National
72
Association, as Documentation Agent and a Lender; and the other lenders party thereto. The Loan Agreement matures on
March 11, 2025, provides maximum revolving loans equal to the lesser of $1,000,000 or a percentage of eligible owned
inventory and eligible owned receivables (which borrowing base may, at the election of the Company and satisfaction of
certain conditions, include a percentage of qualified cash), contains a $50,000 subfacility for letters of credit and allows
the Company to increase the revolving facility by an additional $100,000, subject to the consent by each lender and other
conditions. The Loan Agreement contains a requirement to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.0 to
1.0 during such periods when availability under the Loan Agreement falls below a specified threshold. Substantially all
of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for outstanding borrowings under the Loan Agreement. Outstanding
borrowings bear interest, at the Company’s election, at either a base rate plus a margin of 0% to 0.125% or the London
Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 1.125% to 1.250%, with such margins based on the Company’s borrowing
availability, and the unused line fee is 0.20% per annum.
As of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility and
the weighted average interest rate was 1.56% for fiscal year 2020. As of January 30, 2021, the Company was in
compliance with all terms and covenants of the Loan Agreement.
15. Fair value measurements
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable
approximates their estimated fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments.
Fair value is measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy, which are described as follows:
• Level 1 – observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
• Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly
through corroboration with observable market data.
• Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which would require the Company to
develop its own assumptions.
As of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, the Company held financial liabilities included in other long-term
liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets of $32,909 and $29,442, respectively, related to its non-qualified deferred
compensation plan. The liabilities have been categorized as Level 2 as they are based on third-party reported values
which are based primarily on quoted market prices of underlying assets of the funds within the plan.
Some assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain
circumstances. These assets can include long-lived assets and goodwill that are reduced to fair value when impaired.
Assets that are written down to fair value when impaired are not subsequently adjusted to fair value unless further
impairment occurs.
16. Investments
Short-term investments typically consist of certificates of deposit and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value
and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets in short-term investments. There were no short-term investments as
of January 30, 2021. Short-term investments were $110,000 as of February 1, 2020.
Investments in renewable energy projects are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The balance of these
investments was $3,174 and $3,936 as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, respectively, and is included in other
long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company contributed capital of $5,665 and received
distributions including $1,689 of investment tax credits during fiscal year 2020. The Company contributed capital of
$62,946 and received distributions including $60,208 of investment tax credits during fiscal year 2019.
73
17. Stock-based compensation
The Company’s equity incentive plan was adopted in order to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions
of substantial authority and to provide additional incentive to employees and directors to promote the success of the
business.
In June 2016, the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Award Plan (the 2011 Plan). The 2011
Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units,
stock appreciation rights, performance awards, dividend equivalent rights, stock payments, deferred stock, and cash-
based awards to employees, consultants, and directors. Unless provided otherwise by the administrator of the plan,
options vest over four years at the rate of 25% per year from the date of grant and must be exercised within ten years.
Options are granted with the exercise price equal to the fair value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. As of
January 30, 2021, the 2011 Plan reserves for the issuance upon grant or exercise of awards up to 2,791 shares of common
stock.
The following table presents information related to stock-based compensation:
(In thousands)
Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Restricted stock units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance-based restricted stock units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
January 30,
2021
10,757 $
16,608
218
27,583 $
February 2,
2020
8,660 $
12,762
4,220
25,642 $
2019
8,590
12,077
6,822
27,489
Cash received from stock option exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Income tax benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
12,229 $
750 $
43,780 $
11,600 $
13,121
6,135
Common stock options
Stock-based compensation expense is measured on the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based
compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest.
The estimated grant date fair value of stock options was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model with the
following weighted-average assumptions:
Volatility rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average expected life (in years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
43.0%
0.3%
3.4
None
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
31.0%
2.3%
3.5
None
February 2,
2019
29.0%
2.4%
3.4
None
The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is
based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant for the respective expected life of the
option. The expected life represents the time the options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected life of
options granted is derived from historical data on Ulta Beauty stock option exercises. Forfeitures of stock options are
estimated at the grant date based on historical rates of stock option activity and reduce the stock-based compensation
expense recognized. The Company does not currently pay a regular dividend.
74
The following table presents information related to common stock options:
(In thousands, except weighted-average grant date fair value)
Weighted-average grant date fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Fair value of options vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intrinsic value of options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
54.40
9,741
11,304
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
February 2,
$
2020
89.91
9,143
51,650
$
2019
50.10
10,042
25,902
At January 30, 2021, there was approximately $16,810 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to
unvested stock options. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of approximately two years.
A summary of stock option activity is presented in the following table (shares in thousands):
Fiscal 2020
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
Weighted-
Weighted-
Number of
options
average
exercise price
Number of
options
average
exercise price
Number of
Beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited/Expired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
End of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercisable at end of year . . . . . . . . . .
Vested and Expected to vest . . . . . . . . .
539 $
248
(90)
(26)
671 $
236 $
639 $
212.58
174.45
135.70
219.47
208.47
209.03
208.49
755
97
(285)
(28)
539
172
510
$
$
$
$
174.34
348.73
153.64
263.34
212.58
159.39
211.14
Weighted-
average
options
exercise price
147.76
204.27
78.81
260.83
174.34
134.27
173.02
766 $
163
(166)
(8)
755 $
296 $
718 $
The following table presents information related to stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at
January 30, 2021 based on ranges of exercise prices (shares in thousands):
Options outstanding
Weighted-
average
remaining
contractual
Weighted-
Range of Exercise Prices
$57.42 – $127.15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$127.16 – $164.06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$164.07 – $174.45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$174.46 – $204.27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$204.28 – $281.53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$281.54 – $348.73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$57.42 – $348.73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of
options
life
(years)
2
5
9
7
6
8
7
31
104
234
139
78
85
671
83.88
163.63
174.45
201.79
279.03
348.73
208.47
$
average
exercise price
$
Number of
options
Options exercisable
Weighted-
average
remaining
contractual
Weighted-
life
(years)
2
5
–
6
6
8
5
average
exercise price
83.88
$
163.23
–
199.51
278.91
348.73
209.03
$
31
54
–
73
56
22
236
The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable stock options as of January 30, 2021 was $53,868 and
$18,332, respectively. The last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market on January 30, 2021 was $279.76 per share.
Restricted stock units
Restricted stock units are granted to certain employees and directors. Employee grants generally cliff vest after three
years and director grants cliff vest within one year. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units is based on the
closing market price of shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock units are expensed
on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Forfeitures of restricted stock units are estimated at the grant
75
date based on historical rates of stock award activity and reduce the stock-based compensation expense recognized. At
January 30, 2021, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $26,267. The
unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of
approximately one and a half years.
A summary of restricted stock units activity is presented in the following table (shares in thousands):
Fiscal 2020
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
Number of
Weighted-
average grant Number of
Weighted-
average grant Number of
units
date fair value
units
date fair value
units
Beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
End of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected to vest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
159 $
163
(38)
(31)
253
234
$
$
259.21
179.72
276.51
218.40
210.46
210.46
168 $
53
(46)
(16)
159
147
$
$
220.68
335.28
207.77
259.65
259.21
259.21
Performance-based restricted stock units
134 $
Weighted-
average grant
date fair value
207.70
208.82
164.35
227.44
220.68
220.68
97
(52)
(11)
168 $
154 $
Performance-based restricted stock units are granted to certain employees. These awards cliff vest after three years based
upon achievement of pre-established net sales and earnings before tax goals at the end of the second year of the term.
The grant date fair value of performance-based restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of shares of the
Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Performance-based restricted stock units are expensed on a straight-line
basis over the requisite service period, based on the probability of achieving the performance goal, with changes in
expectations recognized as an adjustment to earnings in the period of the change. If the performance goal is not met, no
stock-based compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized stock-based compensation expense is
reversed. Forfeitures of performance-based restricted stock units are estimated at the grant date based on historical rates
of stock award activity and reduce the stock-based compensation expense recognized. At January 30, 2021, unrecognized
stock-based compensation expense related to performance-based restricted stock units was $183. The unrecognized
stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately one
year.
A summary of performance-based restricted stock unit activity is presented in the following table (shares in thousands):
Fiscal 2020
Weighted-
Number of
units
average
grant date
Number of
units
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
Weighted-
average
grant date
Number of
units
Weighted-
average
grant date
Beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in performance award payout . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
End of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected to vest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62 $
–
(5)
(14)
(6)
37 $
35 $
267.60
–
204.27
281.53
263.38
271.88
271.88
94 $
21
(3)
(43)
(7)
62 $
57 $
214.64
348.73
281.53
191.76
258.80
267.60
267.60
78 $
33
22
(36)
(3)
94 $
87 $
196.81
204.27
191.76
151.20
224.49
214.64
214.64
The number of performance-based restricted stock units granted is based on achieving the targeted performance goals as
defined in the performance-based restricted stock unit agreements. As of January 30, 2021, the maximum number of
units that could vest under the provisions of the agreements was 55.
76
18. Net income per common share
The following is a reconciliation of net income and the number of shares of common stock used in the computation of
net income per basic and diluted common share:
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 175,835 $ 705,945 $ 658,559
2019
2020
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
February 2,
January 30,
2021
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares – Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted-average common shares – Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56,351
207
56,558
57,840
265
58,105
59,864
317
60,181
Net income per common share:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
$
3.12 $
3.11 $
12.21 $
12.15 $
11.00
10.94
The denominator for diluted net income per common share for fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 excludes 211, 298, and
302 employee stock options and restricted stock units, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effects. Outstanding
performance-based restricted stock units are included in the computation of dilutive shares only to the extent that the
underlying performance conditions are satisfied prior to the end of the reporting period or would be considered satisfied
if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period and the results would be dilutive under
the treasury stock method.
19. Employee benefit plans
The Company provides a 401(k) retirement plan covering all employees who qualify as to age and length of service. The
plan is funded through employee contributions and a Company match. In fiscal 2018, the Company match was 100% of
the first 3% of eligible compensation. Starting in January 2019, the Company added an additional 50% match for the
next 2% of eligible compensation. Total expense recorded under this plan is included in SG&A expenses in the
consolidated statements of operations as follows:
(In thousands)
401(k) plan matching contribution expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
16,878
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
16,556
$
February 2,
2019
10,029
$
The Company also has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for highly compensated employees whose
contributions are limited under qualified defined contribution plans. The plan is funded through employee contributions
and a Company match. In fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company match was 100% of the first 3% of salary. Amounts
contributed and deferred under the plan are credited or charged with the performance of investment options offered
under the plan as elected by the participants. In the event of bankruptcy, the assets of this plan are available to satisfy the
claims of general creditors. The Company manages the risk of changes in the fair value of the liability for deferred
compensation by electing to match its liability under the plan with investment vehicles that offset a substantial portion of
its exposure. Total expense recorded under this plan is included in SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of
operations and was insignificant during fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018.
77
Amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets related to the deferred compensation plan were as follows:
(In thousands)
Deferred compensation plan liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 32,909
33,223
Deferred compensation plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 30,
2021
February 1,
2020
$ 29,442
27,849
20. Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited)
The following tables set forth the unaudited quarterly results of operations for each of the quarters in fiscal 2020 and
fiscal 2019. The quarterly periods are the 13 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to April 30, July 31, October 31, and
January 31.
Fiscal 2020
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,173,210 $
869,605
303,605
Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
2,198,701
1,427,673
771,028
1,552,033 $
1,006,514
545,519
1,228,009 $
899,002
329,007
First Quarter
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . .
Impairment, restructuring and other costs . . . . . . . . . .
Pre-opening expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense (benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
380,912
19,542
4,635
(101,484)
1,272
(102,756)
(24,247)
(78,509) $
271,587
40,758
3,907
12,755
2,617
10,138
2,086
8,052 $
416,378
23,624
4,240
101,277
1,383
99,894
25,096
74,798 $
514,140
30,398
2,218
224,272
463
223,809
52,315
171,494
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(1.39) $
(1.39) $
0.14 $
0.14 $
1.33 $
1.32 $
3.04
3.03
Fiscal 2019
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,743,029 $
1,098,182
644,847
Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
2,305,918
1,499,033
806,885
1,666,607 $
1,060,708
605,899
1,682,514 $
1,059,081
623,433
First Quarter
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . .
Pre-opening expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
403,133
4,174
237,540
(2,046)
239,586
47,365
192,221 $
392,843
5,038
208,018
(1,671)
209,689
48,431
161,258 $
449,198
6,455
167,780
(900)
168,680
38,933
129,747 $
515,542
3,587
287,756
(439)
288,195
65,476
222,719
Net income per common share:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.28 $
3.26 $
2.77 $
2.76 $
2.25 $
2.25 $
3.91
3.89
The sum of the quarterly net income per common share may not equal the annual total due to quarterly changes in the
weighted average shares and share equivalents outstanding.
78
21. Share repurchase program
On March 15, 2018, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the
2018 Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company could repurchase up to $625,000 of the Company’s
common stock. The 2018 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but unused amount
of $41,317 from the earlier share repurchase program. The 2018 Share Repurchase Program did not have an expiration
date but provided for suspension or discontinuation at any time.
On March 14, 2019, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program
(the 2019 Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company could repurchase up to $875,000 of the
Company’s common stock. The 2019 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but
unused amount of $25,435 from the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. The 2019 Share Repurchase Program did not have
an expiration date but provided for suspension or discontinuation at any time.
On March 12, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program
(the 2020 Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to $1,600,000 of the
Company’s common stock. The 2020 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but
unused amounts of $177,805 from the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. The 2020 Share Repurchase Program does not
have an expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. On April 2, 2020, the Company announced
that the share repurchase program had been suspended in order to strengthen its liquidity and preserve cash while
navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The program resumed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
A summary of common stock repurchase activity is presented in the following table:
(In thousands)
Shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
January 30,
2021
Fiscal year ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
475
114,895 $
2,321
680,979 $
2,464
616,194
79
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (Continued)
(b) Financial Statement Schedule
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In thousands)
Description
Fiscal 2020
Balance at
beginning
of period
Charged to
costs and
expenses
Deductions
Balance at
end
of period
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory reserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2019
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory reserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2018
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory reserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
$
$
1,363 $
46,941
22 $
(617)(a) $
42,634
(36,715)
768
52,860
651 $
36,640
1,094 $
50,285
(382)(a) $
(39,984)
1,363
46,941
1,371 $
24,804
573 $
47,923
(1,293)(a) $
(36,087)
651
36,640
(a) Represents write-off of uncollectible accounts
All other financial statement schedules required by Form 10 - K have been omitted because they were inapplicable or
otherwise not required under the instructions contained in Regulation S-X.
(c) Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10 - K.
80
EXHIBIT INDEX
Incorporated by Reference
Filed
Herewith Form Number Number
001 - 33764
Exhibit
File
8 - K
3.1
Filing Date
1/30/2017
8 - K
3.2
001 - 33764
6/8/2020
10-K
4
001-33764
3/27/2020
8 - K
10.1
001 - 33764
1/30/2017
8-K
10.0
001-33764
8/24/2017
Exhibit
Number Description of document
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Ulta
Beauty, Inc.
3.2
4
Bylaws of Ulta Beauty, Inc., as
amended through June 3, 2020
Description of Ulta Beauty, Inc.’s
10.1
10.2
Securities
Compensation Plan Agreement, dated
as of January 27, 2017 between Ulta
Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
and Ulta Beauty, Inc.*
Second Amended and Restated Loan
Agreement, dated as of August 23,
2017, among Ulta Beauty, Inc., Ulta
Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.,
the subsidiaries of Ulta Beauty
signatory thereto, Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, National
Association
10.3
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended
10-K
10.3
001-33764
3/27/2020
and Restated Agreement, dated
March 11, 2020, among Ulta Beauty,
Inc., Ulta Salon, Cosmetics &
Fragrance, Inc., the subsidiaries of Ulta
Beauty signatory thereto, the lenders
party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, as administrative
agent and collateral agent for the
lenders
10.4
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Second Amended
S - 1
10.7
333 - 144405
8/17/2007
and Restated Restricted Stock Option
Plan*
Amendment to Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Second Amended and Restated
Restricted Stock Option Plan*
Ulta Beauty, Inc. 2007 Incentive
Award Plan*
Amended and Restated Ulta Beauty,
Inc. 2011 Incentive Award Plan*
10.5
10.6
10.7
S - 1
10.7(a)
333 - 144405
8/17/2007
S - 1
10.10
333 - 144405
9/27/2007
DEF 14A Appendix A 001 - 33764
4/20/2016
10.8
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award
8 - K
10.1
001 - 33764
3/31/2015
Agreement—Performance Shares
under the 2011 Incentive Award Plan*
10.9
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics &
10 - K
10.17
001 - 33764
4/2/2009
Fragrance, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred
Compensation Plan*
10.10
Letter Agreement dated June 20, 2013
8 - K
10.1
001 - 33764
6/24/2013
between Ulta Salon, Cosmetics &
Fragrance, Inc. and Mary N. Dillon*
81
Exhibit
Number Description of document
10.11
10.12
Letter Agreement dated September 13,
2013 between Ulta Inc. and Jeffrey J.
Childs*
Letter Agreement dated January 6,
2014 between Ulta Inc. and David
Kimbell*
Incorporated by Reference
Filed
Herewith Form Number Number
001 - 33764
Exhibit
10 - Q
10.1
File
Filing Date
6/10/2014
10 - Q
10.1
001 - 33764
6/4/2015
10.13
Form of Option Agreement under the
10 - K
10.13
001 - 33764
3/28/2017
10.14
10.15
2011 Incentive Award Plan*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement under the 2011 Incentive
Award Plan*
Letter Agreement dated August 3,
2015 between Ulta Inc. and Jodi J.
Caro*
10 - K
10.14
001 - 33764
3/28/2017
10 - K
10.15
001 - 33764
3/28/2017
10.16
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Executive Change in
10 - K
10.16
001 - 33764
3/28/2017
10 - K
10.17
001 - 33764
4/3/2018
10 - K
10.18
001 - 33764
4/3/2018
Control and Severance Plan*
Restricted Stock Unit Award
10.17
Agreement dated March 29, 2018, with
Mary Dillon*
10.18
21
23
31.1
31.2
Amendment to Employment Letter
Regarding Severance Entitlements,
dated March 29, 2018, between Ulta
Beauty, Inc. and Mary Dillon*
List of Significant Subsidiaries
Consent of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
Certification of the Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to Rules 13a - 14(a)
and 15d - 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of the Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Rules 13a - 14(a)
and 15d - 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
X
X
X
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive
X
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial
X
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
82
Filed
Herewith Form Number Number
Exhibit
File
Filing Date
Incorporated by Reference
X
X
X
X
X
X
Exhibit
Number Description of document
99
Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. [To be filed
with the SEC under Regulation 14A
within 120 days after January 30,
2021; except to the extent specifically
incorporated by reference, the Proxy
Statement for the 2021 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders shall not be
deemed to be filed with the SEC as
part of this Annual Report on
Form 10 - K]
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Schema
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Calculation
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Labels
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Presentation
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
104
Definition
Cover Page Interactive Data File
(formatted as Inline XBRL with
applicable taxonomy extension
information contained in
Exhibits 101).
* A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
83
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bolingbrook,
State of Illinois, on March 26, 2021.
SIGNATURES
ULTA BEAUTY, INC.
By: /s/ Scott M. Settersten
Scott M. Settersten
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signatures
/s/ Mary N. Dillon
Mary N. Dillon
/s/ Scott M. Settersten
Scott M. Settersten
/s/ Sally E. Blount
Sally E. Blount
/s/ Michelle L. Collins
Michelle L. Collins
/s/ Robert F. DiRomualdo
Robert F. DiRomualdo
/s/ Catherine Halligan
Catherine Halligan
/s/ Charles Heilbronn
Charles Heilbronn
/s/ Patricia A. Little
Patricia A. Little
/s/ Michael R. MacDonald
Michael R. MacDonald
/s/ George Mrkonic
George Mrkonic
/s/ Lorna E. Nagler
Lorna E. Nagler
/s/ Michael C. Smith
Michael C. Smith
Title
Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
and Assistant Secretary (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Date
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
Chairperson of the Board of Directors
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
84
Executive Officers
Mary Dillon
Chief Executive Officer
David Kimbell
President
Scott Settersten
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Jodi Caro
General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer
& Corporate Secretary
Jeffrey Childs
Chief Human Resources Officer
Board of Directors
Mary Dillon
Chief Executive Officer
Robert DiRomualdo
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
Sally Blount
Member of the Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committee
Michelle Collins
Chair of the Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committee
Member of the Audit Committee
Catherine Halligan
Chair of the Compensation Committee
Member of the Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committee
Charles Heilbronn
Member of the Compensation Committee
Member of the Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committee
Patricia Little
Member of the Audit Committee
Michael MacDonald
Chair of the Audit Committee
Member of the Compensation Committee
George Mrkonic
Member of the Audit Committee
Member of the Compensation Committee
Lorna Nagler
Member of the Compensation Committee
Member of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
Michael C. Smith
Member of the Audit Committee
Company Headquarters
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
1000 Remington Boulevard
Suite 120
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
630.410.4800
www.ulta.com
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at
10:00 am CST on Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Transfer Agent and Registrar
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Operations Center
6201 – 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
800.937.5449
www.amstock.com
Stockholder Inquiries
Ulta Beauty Investor Relations
1000 Remington Boulevard
Suite 120
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
630.410.4627
InvestorRelations@ulta.com
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, IL
Corporate and Securities Counsel
Foley & Lardner LLP
Milwaukee, WI
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission, as Exhibit 31 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal
year 2020, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
certifications as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.
Safe Harbor Language
Portions of this report may contain “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and 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. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this report are based upon our historical performance and on current
plans, estimates and expectations. Such forward-looking state-
ments are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including risk
factors contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended January 30,
2021 which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and available at www.sec.gov and at www.ulta.com. We undertake
no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of such statements.