Ulta Beauty Surpasses Expectations and Ups Annual Forecast Following Q2 Success
By Editor • August 27, 2026 • 1 min read
Ulta Beauty has exceeded Wall Street's expectations in its second quarter performance, prompting the retailer to revise its full-year sales forecasts upward. The beauty giant, based in Bolingbrook, Illinois, reported net sales of $3 billion for the quarter ending August 1, reflecting an 8.9% increase driven by comparable sales growth and the recent acquisition of Space NK.
Comparable sales rose by 3.8%, while diluted earnings per share surged 13.3% to $6.55, surpassing analysts' predictions of $6.20. "Our team delivered another impressive quarter… demonstrating that we are executing with discipline," said CEO Kecia Steelman.
Highlighting the success of fragrance and K-Beauty products, Steelman noted that Ulta's international expansion continues, with 12 stores now in Mexico and plans for growth in the Middle East. As of the end of the quarter, Ulta Beauty Marketplace boasted over 450 brands and more than 12,000 stock keeping units.
In light of these results, Ulta has updated its annual net sales growth estimate to between 6.7% and 7.2%, reflecting confidence in its strategic direction.
Source: wwd.com
#Kecia Steelman #Market Expansion #Q2 Performance #Sales Growth #Ulta Beauty
