1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Reports Top- and Bottom-Line Growth In All Three Of Its Business Segments For Its Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter

Jan 31, 2017

• Total revenues from continuing operations was $554.6 million, up 1.1 percent compared with $548.4 million in the prior year period.
• EBITDA, excluding stock-based compensation, increased to $107.4 million, compared with $104.8 million in the prior year period.
• EPS was $0.93 per diluted share, compared with $0.92 in the prior year period.

CARLE PLACE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLWS), the leading gourmet food and floral gift provider for all occasions, today reported results for its fiscal 2017 second quarter. Chris McCann, CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, said, “During the fiscal second quarter, we achieved consolidated top and bottom-line growth in what was a challenging consumer environment throughout much of the holiday season. Our results for the period, including year-over-year increases in revenues, gross margin, EBITDA and EPS, reflect positive contributions from all three of our business segments.”

McCann noted that while total revenue growth for the quarter was more modest than the Company’s expectations, “We saw good performance in a number of areas during the period, particularly in our floral businesses. 1-800-Flowers.com continued its trend of topline growth, extending its market leading position as well as its record of consecutive quarters with increased bottom-line contribution. In addition, our BloomNet business achieved solid revenue growth to go along with its consistently strong bottom line. In our Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets segment, we achieved ecommerce growth in our Harry & David, Cheryl’s, The Popcorn Factory and 1-800-Baskets brands.

“These positive results were partially offset by slower overall growth at Harry & David, our largest brand in food gifting, which accounts for the majority of total revenues during the quarter. While Harry & David grew revenues in its primary ecommerce channel, this was largely offset by lower year-over-year sales in its retail channel.”

McCann stated that the Company anticipates accelerated revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2017. “The second half of our fiscal year is dominated by our floral businesses where we are seeing a continuation of positive top and bottom-line trends. In addition, we see a number of tailwinds that will benefit revenue growth, including the better day placement of the Valentine holiday and growing everyday gifting in our Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets brands. We believe this combination of factors will enable us to deliver solid top-line growth and strong bottom-line growth for the full fiscal year.”

Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Results:

Total net revenues grew 1.1 percent, or $6.2 million, to $554.6 million for the fiscal 2017 second quarter ended January 1, 2017, compared with total revenues from continuing operations of $548.4 million in the prior year period. Revenue for the quarter reflected solid growth in the Company’s 1-800-Flowers.com and BloomNet segments, combined with modest growth in its Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets segment.

Gross profit margin for the quarter increased 20 basis points to 46.3 percent, compared with 46.1 percent in the prior year period, this reflected strong gross margin increases in the Company’s BloomNet and Consumer Floral segments. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, was unchanged at 27.3 percent of total revenues, compared with the prior year period.

The combination of these factors resulted in EBITDA, excluding stock-based compensation expense, of $107.4 million, up 2.5 percent, or $2.6 million, compared with $104.8 million in the prior year period. This reflects contributions from all three of the Company’s business segments. Net income attributable to the Company was $62.9 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared with $61.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

Regarding customer metrics for the quarter, the Company said it attracted 1.3 million new customers. Approximately 3.1 million customers placed orders during the quarter, of which 58.4 percent were repeat customers. This reflects the Company’s effective marketing and merchandising programs, including initiatives in social and mobile communication channels and its Celebrations suite of services – Celebrations Passport, Celebrations Rewards and Celebrations Reminders – all designed to engage with its customers and deepen its relationships as their one-stop destination for all of their celebratory and gifting occasions.

SEGMENT RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS:

The Company provides fiscal 2017 second quarter selected financial results for its Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets, Consumer Floral and BloomNet business segments in the tables attached to this release and as follows:

• Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets: Revenues increased $2.6 million, or 0.6 percent, to $436.9 million, compared with $434.3 million in the prior year period. This reflects ecommerce growth in the Company’s Harry & David, Cheryl’s, 1-800-Baskets and The Popcorn Factory brands. This was somewhat offset by slower growth at Harry & David, the Company’s largest food gifting brand, which accounts for the majority of total revenues during the quarter. While Harry & David grew revenues in its primary ecommerce channel, this was largely offset by lower, year-over-year sales in its retail channel. Gross margin for the quarter was unchanged, compared with the prior year period, at 46.7 percent. Segment contribution margin increased $760,000, or 0.7 percent, to $104.6 million compared with $103.9 million in the prior year period.

• Consumer Floral: Revenues increased 3.1 percent to $97.8 million, compared with $94.8 million, in the prior year period. Gross profit margin for the quarter increased 90 basis points to 41.2 percent, compared with 40.3 percent in the prior year period. Segment contribution margin increased 11.9 percent to $13.1 million, compared with $11.7 million in the prior year period.
• BloomNet Wire Service: Revenues increased 4.2 percent to $20.5 million, compared with $19.7 million in the prior year period. Gross margin for the quarter increased 310 basis points to 60.0 percent, compared with 56.9 percent in the prior year period, primarily reflecting product mix. Segment contribution margin increased 11.3 percent to $8.2 million, compared with $7.4 million in the prior year period.

Company Guidance:

Regarding revenue growth, while the Company anticipates achieving accelerated revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2017, based on results for the first half of fiscal year 2017, it is revising its guidance for full year revenue growth to 3-to-4 percent, compared with revenues of $1.17 billion in the prior year period.

Regarding bottom-line metrics and Free Cash Flow, the Company is reiterating is original 2017 guidance as follows:

• EBITDA growth in a range of 8-to-10 percent compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $85.8 million reported for fiscal 2016.
• EPS growth in a range of 5-to-10 percent compared with Adjusted EPS of $0.43 reported for fiscal 2016.
• Free Cash Flow for the year of approximately $40 million compared with $24 million in fiscal 2016.

Definitions:

EBITDA: Net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization. Free Cash Flow: net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Category contribution margin: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, before the allocation of corporate overhead expenses. The Company presents non-GAAP measurements such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Free Cash Flow because it considers such information meaningful supplemental measures of its performance and believes such information is frequently used by the investment community in the evaluation of similarly situated companies. The Company also uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as factors used to determine the total amount of incentive compensation available to be awarded to executive officers and other employees. The Company's credit agreement uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to measure compliance with covenants such as interest coverage and debt incurrence. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by the Company to evaluate and price potential acquisition candidates. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are: (a) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company's working capital needs; (b) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on the Company's debts; and (c) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such capital expenditures. EBITDA and Free Cash Flow should only be used on a supplemental basis combined with GAAP results when evaluating the Company's performance.

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is a leading provider of gourmet food and floral gifts for all occasions. For the past 40 years, 1-800-FLOWERS® (1-800-356-9377 or www.1800flowers.com) has been helping deliver smiles for our customers with gifts for every occasion, including fresh flowers and the finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections, candles, balloons and plush stuffed animals. As always, our 100% Smile Guarantee® backs every gift. The company’s Celebrations suite of services including Celebrations Passport Free Shipping Program, Celebrations Rewards and Celebrations Reminders, are all designed to engage with customers and deepen relationships as a one-stop destination for all celebratory and gifting occasions. In 2016, 1-800-Flowers.com was awarded Silver Stevie “e-Commerce Customer Service” Award, recognizing the company’s innovative use of online technologies and social media to service the needs of customers. In addition, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. was recognized as one of Internet Retailer’s Top 300 B2B e-commerce companies and was also recently named in Internet Retailer’s 2016 Top Mobile 500 as one of the world’s leading mobile commerce sites. The company was included in Internet Retailer’s 2015 Top 500 for fast growing e-commerce companies. In 2015, 1-800-Flowers.com was named a winner of the “Best Companies to Work for in New York State” Award by The New York Society for Human Resource Management (NYS-SHRM). The Company’s BloomNet® international floral wire service (www.mybloomnet.net) provides a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably. The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. “Gift Shop” also includes gourmet gifts such as premium, gift-quality fruits and other gourmet items from Harry & David® (1-877-322-1200) or www.harryanddavid.com), popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory® (1-800-541-2676 or www.thepopcornfactory.com); cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl’s® (1-800-443-8124 or www.cheryls.com); premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May® (www.fanniemay.com and www.harrylondon.com); gift baskets and towers from 1-800- Baskets.com® (www.1800baskets.com); premium English muffins and other breakfast treats from Wolferman’s (1-800-999-1910 or www.wolfermans.com); carved fresh fruit arrangements from FruitBouquets.com (www.fruitbouquets.com); and top quality steaks and chops from Stock Yards® (www.stockyards.com). Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and can generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as “estimate,” “expects,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “forecast,” “likely,” “will,” “target” or similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward- looking statements; including, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations for: accelerating revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2017; its ability to offset rising input costs through rigorous cost management and synergy savings; its ability to leverage its consolidated customer database and new multi-brand website to attract and retain customers and help grow revenues; its ability to achieve its guidance for consolidated revenue growth for the full year in a range of 3-to-4 percent; its ability to achieve EBITDA growth in a range of 8-to-10 percent compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $85.8 million reported for fiscal 2016 and EPS growth in a range of 5-to-10 percent compared with Adjusted EPS of $0.43 reported for fiscal 2016: its ability to manage inventory and capital expenses and generate Free Cash Flow for the year of approximately $40 million compared with $24 million in fiscal 2016; its ability to leverage its operating platform and reduce operating expense ratio; its ability to cost effectively acquire and retain customers; the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings in the normal course of business; its ability to compete against existing and new competitors; its ability to manage expenses associated with sales and marketing and necessary general and administrative and technology investments; its ability to reduce promotional activities and achieve more efficient marketing programs; and general consumer sentiment and economic conditions that may affect levels of discretionary customer purchases of the Company’s products. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, made in this release or in any of its SEC filings except as may be otherwise stated by the Company. For a more detailed description of these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company’s SEC filings including the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties.

Conference Call:

The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss the above details and attached financial results today, Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. (EST). The call will be “web cast” live via the Internet and can be accessed from the Investor Relations section of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM web site at www.1800flowersinc.com. A recording of the call will be posted on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site within two hours of the call’s completion. A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed through 2/7/17 beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on the day of the call at: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (CA) 1-855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088; enter conference ID #: 10098953.

Note: Attached tables are an integral part of this press release without which the information presented in this press release should be considered incomplete.

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1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.
Investors:
Joseph D. Pititto, 516-237-6131
[email protected]
or
Media
Yanique Woodall, 516-237-6028
[email protected]

Source: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.