Ulta Beauty is among the most influential retailers in the U.S. beauty space. Its combination of prestige and mass-market brands drives consistent shopper traffic. In the latest Ulta news, the company has released its Q1 fiscal 2025 results.
This update also discusses Ulta’s 2026 and beyond plans, executive changes, and its participation in the upcoming Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference in Paris.
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Latest Ulta News: Q1 2025 Earnings Beat Expectations With Strong Start to Fiscal Year
Starting this Ulta news roundup with earnings, Ulta Beauty released its fiscal Q1 2025 results on Thursday, May 29, reporting stronger-than-anticipated results to open the year.
The company generated $2.8 billion in net sales, a 4.5% increase year over year, driven by higher comparable sales and the addition of new store revenue.
Meanwhile, comparable sales rose 2.9%, with growth supported by a 2.3% increase in average ticket size and a modest 0.6% gain in transactions.
Gross profit reached $1.11 billion, up 4.2% from the prior year.
However, gross profit slipped slightly to 39.1% due to higher fixed costs in stores and supply chain operations and reduced revenue from other sources.
Inventory shrinkage improved and partially offset these pressures.
$ULTA Beauty Q1 Earnings Highlights
🔹 Revenue: $2.85B (Est. $2.79B) 🟢 +4.5% YoY
🔹 EPS: $6.70 (Est. $5.75) 🟢
🔹 Comparable Sales: +2.9% (vs. +1.6% YoY)
🔹 Gross Margin: 39.1% (vs. 39.2% YoY)
🔹 Inventory: $2.1B (+11.3% YoY)FY25 Guidance
🔹 Revenue: $11.5B–$11.7B (Prior:…— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) May 29, 2025
SG&A expenses grew to $710.6 million, a 6.7% rise, reflecting increased payroll and operating costs at the store level. Despite these pressures, Ulta reported operating income of $401.8 million, nearly flat compared to last year.
On the other hand, net income totaled $305.1 million, down slightly from $313.1 million. Diluted EPS also reached $6.70, up from $6.47.
Commenting on the results, CEO Kecia Steelman said, “Fiscal 2025 is off to an encouraging start with stronger-than-expected performance. Our Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan is resonating with guests, energizing our team, and fueling growth.”
In addition, Steelman noted uncertainty in consumer trends but expressed confidence in the company’s flexibility and positioning.
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Ulta News: Ulta to Open 200 Stores Across the U.S.
In another Ulta news, Ulta Beauty confirmed on October 16, 2024, that it plans to open 200 new stores across the U.S. over the next three years. This announcement is part of the company’s broader strategy for 2026 and beyond.
The goal is to drive net sales growth between 4% and 6%, reflecting a more aggressive pace after several years of slower expansion.
This shift follows a milestone achievement: reaching $10 billion in revenue in 2022, just a year after setting the target. Until now, store openings had remained limited, with only a few added annually, according to Retail Dive.
The new plan calls for about 66 store launches per year, a notable increase aimed at building physical presence in both established and emerging markets.
Ulta’s recent store openings have performed well despite intensified competition, particularly from Sephora.
In addition to growing its retail footprint, the company aims to expand its loyalty program to 50 million members by 2028, signaling a long-term focus on customer retention and repeat business.
Ulta Appoints Kecia Steelman as CEO & Lauren Brindley as CMDO
Ulta Beauty confirmed a leadership transition on January 6, naming Kecia Steelman as its new CEO. She steps into the role after serving as President and COO, succeeding Dave Kimbell, who is retiring after 11 years with the company.
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Steelman also joined Ulta’s Board of Directors the same day. To support the transition, Kimbell will remain an advisor through June 28, 2025.
In a separate Ulta news update from April, Ulta announced Lauren Brindley’s appointment as Chief Merchandising and Digital Officer (CMDO) starting June 3, 2025.
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Brindley replaces Monica Arnaudo, who is retiring after overseeing merchandising for several years. She will manage e-commerce, wellness, marketplace operations, and merchandising.
Additionally, Brindley will lead Ulta’s brand development efforts across all platforms.
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Ulta to Join the Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference in Paris
Ulta Beauty will participate in Deutsche Bank’s Global Consumer Conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
President and CEO Kecia Steelman, along with CFO Paula Oyibo, will speak in a scheduled fireside chat at 2:45 p.m. CEST. This session will stream live at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time and 7:45 a.m. Central Time.
This participation gives Ulta a platform to address analysts and investors directly, providing updates on its financial outlook, strategic priorities, and growth plans.
The live webcast will be available at ulta.com/investor, with a replay accessible for a limited time.
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Conclusion
Ulta positions itself for long-term growth while responding to shifting consumer behavior. The company’s next moves will be worth tracking closely, especially as the beauty retail environment grows more unpredictable.
Market reactions, competitive shifts, and consumer trends will all influence how the company adjusts its strategy.
For timely updates and detailed coverage of the latest Ulta news and announcements from the country’s top retailers, subscribe to Financial Daily Update today.
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