Ulta Shines as Rare Bright Spot in Retail as Makeup Demand Soars

BOLINGBROOK, United States — In the Instagram era, where looking good on camera is more important than ever, one retailer has found a way to capitalise on the selfie craze.

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc., where women can buy a broad range of cosmetics and get their hair styled on site, was a rare bright spot in what was otherwise a disastrous 2016 for US retailers. Shares of the Bolingbrook, Illinois-based company surged 38 percent…