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Harry & David parent revenues remain flat in latest quarter Tuesday May 2, 2017 at 8:07 AM May 2, 2017 at 8:14 AM Greg Stiles Mail Tribune @GregMTBusiness Harry & David's parent company 1-800 Flowers saw losses widen during its fiscal third quarter. The Carle Place., N.Y., gourmet food and floral company reported a net loss of $11.1 million, or 17 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $9.1 million, or 14 cents per share, in 2016's fiscal third quarter. As has been the historical case at Harry & David, 1-800-Flowers.com typically sees lower revenue and seasonal losses following the holiday gift buying season. With Easter falling in the fourth fiscal quarter, 1-800-Flowers.com saw revenue slide slightly to $233.7 million from $234.2 million a year ago. “During the fiscal third quarter, we achieved strong performance in our Consumer Floral and BloomNet segments, CEO Chris McCann said. "The results are in line with our expectations and it's best to look at our results for the first half and second half of the year." Revenues for the 1-800-Flowers.com brand increased more than 10 percent and contribution margin increased more than 15 percent. "However, the later Easter date this year moved significant revenues out of the third quarter in our Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets segment," McCann said. "Combined with the timing of some Harry & David revenues, this impacted both top and bottom line results for the quarter.” McCann added 1-800-Flowers is recapturing revenue associated with the date shift in its current fiscal fourth quarter. “Our Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets segment will benefit from the timing of some Harry & David Fruit-Of-The-Month Club shipments. Combined with the continuing positive trends in Consumer Floral and BloomNet, we anticipate achieving solid top and bottom-line growth across all three of our business segments for the fiscal fourth quarter.” Harry & David's performance is not separated from the rest of its gourmet food and gift basket operations. "I can tell you that Harry & David performed well during our fiscal third quarter," company spokesman Joe Pititto said Tuesday. "Everyday gifting is beginning to grow nicely for Harry & David, including birthday, sympathy, get well and other same-day occasions. Harry & David will also benefit from the initiatives we have taken to enhance the brand's digital marketing efforts — including display, social, video and mobile advertising — where we see good customer engagement."  — Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31.