1-800-FLOWERS.COM(FLWS) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the second quarter decreased by 9.5%, with e-commerce revenue declining due to a focus on improving marketing contribution margin and changes in search engine results pages negatively impacting direct traffic [13][11] - Gross margin decreased by 120 basis points to 42.1% compared to 43.3% in the prior year, primarily due to lower fixed cost absorption, higher commodity costs, and tariffs [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $98.1 million, down from $116.3 million in the prior year [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer Floral and Gifts segment revenue declined by 22.7%, Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets segment by 3.8%, and BloomNet segment by 3.1% [14] - Marketing contribution margin was impacted by the scale of the holiday quarter and a decline in direct traffic, although improvements in ad spend-to-sales ratio were noted [7][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed a mixed performance across different market segments, with the food business performing better due to its exposure to B2B, while the floral segment faced challenges from inefficient marketing spend [56][14] - The company noted that higher-end household income segments are holding up better, while lower-end segments are experiencing softness [44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning to a function-based operating structure to improve efficiency, accountability, and collaboration, which includes workforce reductions and leadership realignments [5][6] - A focus on a disciplined marketing approach and the elimination of unprofitable initiatives is intended to sharpen focus on core businesses and improve profitability [9][10] - The company is not pursuing additional pop-up retail locations due to unattractive returns on invested capital, instead opting for a full-year store concept [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that while progress is being made, it will not be linear, and they remain focused on executing strategic initiatives and cost reduction efforts [16][10] - The company expects revenue to decline in the low double-digit range for the second half of fiscal 2026, reflecting ongoing challenges in direct traffic and marketing efficiency [16] Other Important Information - The company achieved approximately $15 million in annualized run-rate cost savings for fiscal 2026, with expectations to reach $50 million in total cost savings across fiscal 2026 and 2027 [12] - Valentine's Day is anticipated to be challenging due to its placement on a Saturday, prompting adjustments in marketing strategies [28][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: What drove the decline in the consumer floral and gift segment? - Management indicated that the decline was primarily driven by inefficient marketing spend, particularly in the PMOL segment, which was impacted more than the flowers business [19] Question: Are there any changes in behavior from Passport members? - Management noted that Passport members perform better than non-members, but there is a need to improve the loyalty program's value proposition [20][24] Question: Which segments are expected to perform better in the second half of the year? - Management indicated that the food business is expected to perform better, while the flowers business will be more significant in the second half, with a mixed shift in performance [25][26] Question: What are the trends in commodity prices? - Management reported that while cocoa prices remain high, other commodities like eggs, butter, and sugar are stabilizing and should not be a headwind in the second half of the year [39] Question: What are the capital allocation priorities? - The focus is on stabilizing performance and building capabilities for sustainable growth, with a disciplined approach to capital allocation [46]