8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

_______________________

FORM 8-K

_______________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 11, 2021

_______________________

ULTA BEAUTY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-33764	38-4022268
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission FileNumber)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1000 Remington Blvd., Suite 120, Bolingbrook,
Illinois 60440

(Address of principal executive offices, including ZIP code)

(630) 410-4800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

_______________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 C.F.R. §230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 C.F.R. §240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 C.F.R. §240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 C.F.R. §240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	ULTA	The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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.      ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 11, 2021, Ulta Beauty, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it is implementing a chief executive officer (“CEO”) succession plan. Effective June 2, 2021 Mary Dillon, the Company’s CEO, will transition to the newly created role of Executive Chair of the Board of Directors and David Kimbell, the Company’s President, will succeed Mary Dillon as CEO. Mr. Kimbell will also be nominated by the Board of Directors to stand for election to the Board at the June 2, 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Also, effective June 2, 2021, Kecia Steelman, the Company’s Chief Store Operations Officer, will become the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. A copy of the press release announcing the foregoing is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Ms. Steelman, 50, was named Chief Store Operations Officer in September 2015, after having previously served as Senior Vice President, Store Operations since July 2014. Prior to joining Ulta Beauty, she was Group Vice President at Family Dollar Corporation from 2011 to 2014, after joining the company in 2009 as Vice President, Store Development and Store Operations. From 2005 to 2009, she was Vice President, General Manager of Expo Design Center, Home Depot Design Center and YardBIRDs and Director of New Store Innovations at the Home Depot Corporation. Ms. Steelman began her career at Target Corporation and served in a variety of retail operations and merchandising roles with increasing responsibility from 1993 to 2005.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The exhibit listed in the Exhibit Index below is being furnished herewith.

Exhibit    No.	Description
99.1	Press release issued by Ulta Beauty, Inc. on March 11, 2021 announcing a CEO succession plan.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ULTA BEAUTY, INC.
Date: March 11, 2021	By:	/s/ Jodi J. Caro
		Jodi J. Caro
		General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Ulta Beauty Announces CEO Transition

Internal Succession Planning Underscores the Leading Retailers’ Continuity, Momentum

Bolingbrook, IL – March 11, 2021– Ulta Beauty, the nation’s largest beauty retailer, leads the industry with its unparalleled beauty authority, retail innovation, diverse assortment and passionate associates. Following a thorough succession planning process, the company today announced leadership changes to drive continuity and continued momentum, all effective in June. Dave Kimbell, president, will succeed Mary Dillon as chief executive officer and will be nominated to stand for election to the company’s board of directors at the 2021 annual stockholders meeting. Dillon will transition to the role of executive chair of the board of directors. Kecia Steelman, currently chief store operations officer, will be elevated to the role of chief operating officer.

“It has been the honor of my career to lead the Ulta Beauty family for the last eight years and a true joy to have been inspired by our dedicated associates and beauty-loving guests daily. Our strategies, culture and continuous innovation have strengthened our business model, ensuring we are well-positioned to continue leading the industry,” said Dillon. “Throughout my time with the company, I have worked closely with our board on strategic succession plans, and I believe now is the right time to begin a CEO transition. Dave is a world-class business leader with incredible passion, deep beauty expertise, unwavering drive and a values-based leadership style. The board, executive team and I could not be more thrilled to congratulate and support Dave as he takes this new role. There is no one better suited to unlock even more beautiful possibilities.”

A results-driven, inclusive leader, Kimbell is highly regarded in the beauty industry and has been pivotal in developing and executing growth strategies to move the Ulta Beauty business forward. He joined Ulta Beauty as chief marketing officer in 2014 and continually expanded his leadership responsibilities, named chief merchandising and marketing officer in 2015 and ultimately assuming the role of president in 2019. His proven track record of success spans his tenure with the company and is rooted in deep expertise across corporate strategy, merchandising, insights and analytics, marketing and brand development, loyalty, innovation, and business transformation.

“I am humbled to serve as the next CEO of Ulta Beauty, succeeding Mary, whose leadership has been transformational, creating lasting impact across the beauty and retail industries. We will continue to build upon the foundation she set to ensure Ulta Beauty is a destination where every guest feels welcome and every associate can have a fulfilling career,” said Kimbell. “I appreciate the support from Mary and our entire board of directors and look forward to leading with Kecia, our outstanding executive team and every Ulta Beauty associate through the lens of our well-established values and winning culture.”

Kecia Steelman, the retailers’ current chief store operations officer, will assume the role of chief operating officer where she will oversee store and services operations, supply chain, Ulta Beauty at Target and other, key initiatives. Most recently, she led the unprecedented and fluid dynamics of store operations throughout 2020 through the lens of safety with steadfast resilience.

Dillon intends to serve as executive chair for a one-year term and, with the board of directors, will continue to help guide strategy while supporting Kimbell in his transition. In her eight years as CEO, Dillon developed and nurtured the company’s winning, inclusive culture and drove significant business growth, having more

than tripled market capitalization to more than $18 billion today, doubled the retailers’ fleet of stores, more than doubled its loyalty members and significantly drove its ecommerce capabilities. During her tenure, Ulta Beauty joined both the S&P and Fortune 500 listings and delivered total shareholder return of 245%.

“Thanks to Mary’s outstanding leadership, the future is very bright at Ulta Beauty,” said Kimbell. “Our dynamic business plays a unique and important role in the beauty industry and in our guests’ lives – and we are committed to continue operating with deep respect for that role while innovating and winning together.”

As part of this transition, Ulta Beauty’s current chair, Robert DiRomualdo, will retire from the board after serving three years in the role of chair and 17 years total on the board. The company also announced Lorna Nagler, who has served on the board since 2009, will become Lead Independent Director working with Dillon in her executive chair role.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we are thankful for Mary’s commitment and leadership which firmly established Ulta Beauty’s culture and vaulted its financial performance and value creation throughout her tenure as CEO,” said DiRomualdo. “One of Mary’s greatest legacies is the exceptional leadership team she has built. We look forward to her ongoing guidance and support as executive chair and have full confidence that Dave is the ideal leader to continue building the business, leading the industry and inspiring associates, guests, partners and investors alike.”

Kimbell and Steelman will continue to partner with an experienced and diverse executive team, which will be 60% women and 20% people of color. The Ulta Beauty executive team consists of Scott Settersten, chief financial officer; Jeff Childs, chief human resources officer; Jodi Caro, general counsel and chief compliance officer; Elliott Rodgers, chief information officer; Amiee Bayer-Thomas, chief supply chain officer; Shelley Haus, chief marketing officer; Monica Arnaudo, chief merchandising officer; and Prama Bhatt, chief digital officer.

All of the changes announced today will take effect following the company's annual shareholders meeting scheduled for June 2, 2021.

Ulta Beauty Contacts:Eileen ZiesemerKiley Rawlins
Vice President, Public RelationsVice President, Investor Relations
eziesemer@ulta.comkrawlins@ulta.com

(708) 305-4479(331) 757-2206

About Ulta Beauty

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest U.S. beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the Company reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to shop for beauty – bringing together all things beauty, all in one place. Today, Ulta Beauty operates more than 1,250 retail stores across 50 states and also distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.

Ulta Beauty was recently added to the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, which tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency.  More information about Ulta Beauty’s corporate responsibility efforts can be found at http://ir.ultabeauty.com/Corporate-Responsibility/default.aspx.

XML

Document and Entity Information	Mar. 11, 2021
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 11, 2021
Entity File Number	001-33764
Entity Registrant Name	ULTA BEAUTY, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-4022268
Entity Address, Address Line One	1000 Remington Blvd.
Entity Address, Adress Line Two	Suite 120
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, City or Town	Bolingbrook
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60440
City Area Code	630
Local Phone Number	410-4800
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	ULTA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001403568
Amendment Flag	false