You might also like
Ulta Beauty is the largest specialty beauty retailer in the United States, offering a wide range of products and services through over 1,400 stores and digital platforms . The company sells cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, haircare products, and provides salon services, featuring approximately 25,000 products from about 600 established and emerging beauty brands, covering mass to prestige price points . Ulta Beauty also operates full-service salons in nearly every store, offering hair, skin, and brow services .
- Cosmetics - Offers a diverse range of makeup products from various brands, catering to different price points and consumer preferences.
- Skincare - Provides a wide selection of skincare products, including cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments from both established and emerging brands.
- Haircare Products and Styling Tools - Sells shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and tools designed for various hair types and styling needs.
- Fragrance and Bath - Features a variety of perfumes, colognes, and bath products, appealing to a broad spectrum of scent preferences.
- Services - Operates full-service salons offering hair, skin, and brow services to enhance customer beauty experiences.
- Accessories and Other - Includes beauty accessories and miscellaneous products that complement the main product lines.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kecia L. Steelman ExecutiveBoard | President and Chief Executive Officer | Metropolitan Family Services (Board Member), Adler Planetarium (Board Member), The Economic Club of Chicago (Member) | Joined Ulta in 2014; previously COO and President; promoted to CEO on January 6, 2025, succeeding David C. Kimbell. Known for operational excellence and fostering inclusivity. | View Report → |
Anita J. Ryan Executive | Chief Human Resources Officer | Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Board Member) | Joined Ulta in 2016; oversees HR strategy, talent acquisition, DEI, and training. Promoted to CHRO in April 2022. | |
Jodi J. Caro Executive | General Counsel, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary | Retail Litigation Center (Vice-Chair), Chicago-Kent College of Law Board of Advisors (Member), Communities in Schools of Chicago (Leadership Council Member), Markaaz, Inc. (Advisory Board Member) | Joined Ulta in 2015; oversees legal, risk, and governance services; leads ESG efforts and the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation. | |
Scott M. Settersten Executive | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary | None | Joined Ulta in 2005; announced retirement effective April 1, 2024. Played a key role in Ulta's IPO and significant revenue growth. | |
Catherine A. Halligan Board | Director | Ferguson plc (Director, Member of Audit, Nominating, Governance, Remuneration, and Technology Committees), Driven Brands Holdings, Inc. (Director, Chair of Compensation Committee) | Director at Ulta since 2012; expertise in digital transformation, marketing, and e-commerce; advisor to Chanel Inc. and Narvar Inc.. | |
George R. Mrkonic Board | Director | AutoZone, Inc. (Director, Member of Audit and Compensation Committees) | Director at Ulta since 2015; Chair of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; extensive retail and governance experience. | |
Gisel Ruiz Board | Director | Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Director), Vital Farms, Inc. (Director), TelevisaUnivision (Director) | Director at Ulta since 2022; former COO of Sam’s Club; extensive retail leadership experience, including overseeing Walmart’s U.S. operations. | |
Heidi G. Petz Board | Director | The Sherwin-Williams Company (President and COO), MillerKnoll, Inc. (Board Member, Member of Audit Committee) | Director at Ulta since 2022; President and COO of Sherwin-Williams; expertise in consumer brands and supply chain management. | |
Lorna E. Nagler Board | Non-Executive Chair of the Board | Hibbett, Inc. (Board Member, Chair of Compensation Committee) | Director at Ulta since 2009; became Non-Executive Chair in June 2022. Extensive retail experience, including CEO roles at Christopher & Banks and Charming Shoppes. | |
Michael C. Smith Board | Director | MillerKnoll, Inc. (Board Member, Member of Audit Committee), Footwork Capital (General Partner and Co-Founder) | Director at Ulta since 2019; former COO and Interim CFO of Stitch Fix; expertise in e-commerce, data analytics, and logistics. | |
Michael R. MacDonald Board | Director | Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (Director, Member of Audit Committee) | Director at Ulta since 2012; Chair of the Audit Committee; former CEO of DSW Inc. and Shopko Stores; extensive retail and financial expertise. | |
Michelle L. Collins Board | Director | Ryan Specialty Holdings (Board Member), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Board Member), CIBC Bancorp USA (Board Member), National Louis University (Chair of the Board), Museum of Science and Industry (Board Member), Navy Pier, Inc. (Board Member) | Director at Ulta since 2014; President of Cambium LLC; extensive experience in corporate finance and governance. | |
Patricia A. Little Board | Director | McCormick & Company, Inc. (Board Member, Member of Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee) | Director at Ulta since 2019; former CFO of The Hershey Company and Kelly Services; expertise in finance and risk management. |
-
Despite improved performance in Q3, your prestige skin care segment declined while mass skin care was flat; what specific strategies are you implementing to address the weakness in prestige skin care and stimulate growth in this critical category?
-
You mentioned elevated competition, particularly in prestige beauty, with competitor store openings impacting your business; how confident are you in regaining market share, and what's your timeline for returning to market share gains?
-
Given the decline in the makeup and hair care categories, both decreasing low single digits, what plans do you have to revitalize these segments and counteract the competitive pressures from mass and prestige retailers expanding their beauty offerings?
-
Inventory increased by 1.9% to $2.4 billion, partly due to new store openings; with sales growth slowing, how are you managing inventory levels to avoid overstocking and potential markdown risks?
-
With the fourth quarter expected to be impacted by a compressed holiday season and continued uncertainty around consumer demand, how are you adjusting your promotional strategies and operational plans to mitigate these risks and ensure a successful holiday performance?
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for ULTA.
- Leadership restructuring: The company detailed key management changes, including the appointment of a new General Counsel and an upcoming Chief Merchandising and Digital Officer, alongside internal promotions aimed at streamlining decision-making.
- Strategy evolution: The executives emphasized a simplified strategic approach that focuses on driving core operations, enhancing digital capabilities, and leveraging personalized marketing to maintain competitive differentiation.
- Focused investments: Significant investments were highlighted in foundational systems—such as ERP upgrades, digital platform enhancements, and POS modernization—to drive long-term growth and operational efficiency.
- Retirement Notification: Jodi J. Caro, serving as General Counsel, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary, announced her planned retirement later this spring.
- Transition Plan: A successor is scheduled to join the company next month to facilitate a seamless transition.
- CEO Kecia Steelman outlined the “Ulta Beauty Unleashed” plan, emphasizing a renewed focus on core business growth, scaling new accretive businesses, and streamlining operations to deliver a more guest-centric experience ( , ).
- Q4 2025 results showed a net sales decline of 1.9% to $3.5 billion compared to the prior period, with comparable sales up 1.5% driven by higher average ticket values and improved store performance, alongside a 50 basis point improvement in gross margin ( ).
- The company is advancing strategic initiatives including targeted store remodels (with plans to update 40 to 45 stores this year), new store openings, and an expanded focus on high-growth categories such as wellness to drive long-term profitability and market share ( , ).
- Net sales reached $3.5 billion during the quarter compared to $3.6 billion in the prior period, largely due to an extra week of sales in the previous quarter.
- The company reported net income of $393.3 million along with diluted earnings of $8.46 per share, reflecting strong profitability.
- Comparable sales increased by 1.5%, and the quarter also saw contributions from new store openings and operating efficiency improvements.