Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA) reported that total net sales for the seven-week holiday period were $262.2 million, up 18.2% from the prior year holiday period of $221.9 million. Comparable store sales for the holiday period increased 7.9%, as compared to a 5.8% decrease during the same period in the prior year, resulting in a two year comparable store sales increase of 2.1%.
Further, the Company is increasing its fourth quarter fiscal 2009 outlook.
The Company currently expects fourth quarter fiscal 2009 net sales in the range of $388 million to $392 million, as compared to its previous guidance for fourth quarter fiscal 2009 net sales in the range of $362 million to $376 million. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 are currently expected to increase in a range of 4% to 5%, as compared to its previous expectation for fourth quarter fiscal 2009 comparable store sales in the range of a decrease of 3% to an increase of 1%.
Income per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 is currently estimated in the range of $0.28 to $0.30, as compared to its previous expectation for fourth quarter fiscal 2009 income per share of $0.22 to $0.26.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to report earnings of $0.25 per share, on revenues of $374.37 million. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
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