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Harry & David’s revenue growth boosts 1-800-Flowers By Greg Stiles Posted May 1, 2018 at 5:05 PM Updated May 1, 2018 at 5:05 PM Fiscal third quarters have always been a stretch for Harry & David, even after its absorption by 1-800-Flowers.com. Nonetheless, the Medford-based gourmet food and gift unit of the Long Island, New York, floral and gift retailer helped power 15.5 percent revenue growth in the gourmet foods and gift baskets part of the company. Overall, adjusting for the May 2017 sale of Fannie May Confection Brands, 1-800-Flowers grew revenue 2.1 percent to $238.5 million for the quarter that ended April 1, up from $233.7 a year earlier. The company narrowed its quarterly losses to $8.5 million for the period, compared with $11.1 million in 2017. Through the first nine months of fiscal 2018, 1-800-Flowers has netted just over $49 million, up 36 percent from $36 million a year ago. CEO Chris McCann said the legacy 1-800-Flowers.com brand improved its market share with revenue rising nearly 9 percent for the quarter and more than 10 percent during the Valentine holiday. For the quarter, Harry & David's e-commerce revenue increased more than 15 percent, reflecting double-digit growth in new customers as well as steady growth from its existing customer base. Merchandising and marketing teams created product collections and targeted marketing campaigns propelling double-digit growth for such occasions as birthday, sympathy, new baby and convalescence. During the quarter, the Medford unit expanded product innovation, adding Harry & David Gourmet collection of fruit and cheese platters, wine and prepared meals that appeals to a younger demographic for both gifting and entertaining. In conjunction with Southern Living magazine, Harry & David developed Southern-inspired, specialty food-gift sets as well as trending "foodie" content and recipes. Borrowing exclusive recipes from Carolyn Robb, former executive chef to the British royal family, Harry & David launched a licensed baked gifts collection known as The Royal Touch. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness or www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 . Most Popular Suspects sought in Shady Cove deer attacks Apr 28 at 6:12 PM Jackson County sees startling spike in opioid overdose deaths Apr 28 at 4:24 PM Spring Gold: Tips on finding morel mushrooms from people who know Apr 29 at 2:00 AM Apple Jam is toast in Jackson County Apr 26 at 7:17 AM Two arrested, toddler removed from suspected drug RV Apr 27 at 5:55 PM Ashland native Weatherby is NHL prospect after big year Apr 25 at 5:57 PM Asante wins Level II trauma status Apr 30 at 2:01 AM Davis tops in lawyers' poll for circuit judge Apr 27 at 5:45 PM Airfare wars mean cheap tickets to Seattle, LA Apr 28 at 2:01 AM Shady Cove man accused in second marijuana theft case Apr 30 at 3:56 PM Students show off their techno-smarts Apr 26 at 6:09 PM 3-alarm fire destroys one Medford home, damages another Apr 26 at 7:25 AM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501