EVEN THE STRONGEST companies had to cope with a number of strange and unsettling conditions after Sept. 11. DIRECT recently asked 1-800-Flowers CEO Jim McCann for his insights.
1-800-Flowers reported a 16.5% increase in fiscal 2001 sales over the year before.
DIRECT: How were you affected by the Sept. 11 events?
McCANN: Our business focuses on helping people connect to the other important people in their lives. Most often, that’s for a joyous occasion, like a birthday or an anniversary or the arrival of a new baby. The events of Sept. 11 reminded us that our job is also to help people express themselves during more difficult times.
DIRECT: Have you noticed any shift in buying patterns?
McCANN: It’s hard to say right now. Certainly in the first few days following Sept. 11, most
