FTD.COM’s third-quarter revenue and order growth were spurred by a strong Valentine’s Day and additional business from National Flora, a second quarter acquisition. Adding to the upswing, the Easter holiday fell within the quarter.
The company reported third-quarter 2002 revenue of $48.9 million, up from $36.1 million one year ago. Its net income jumped from $2.4 million to $3.6 million during the year. The quarter ended March 31.
The company also took a $1 million charge related to its merger with IOS Brands Corp., the parent of both FTD and FTD.COM.
The flower and gift marketer filled 729,000 orders during the quarter, up from 536,000 in third quarter 2001. The average order value rose from $60.96 to $61.59. The company reduced its marketing cost per order from $6.78 to $6.20 during the same period.
For FTD.COM, the Internet generated 88% of the company’s orders during the quarter, compared with 86% a year ago. When business from National Flora, which primarily generates orders through telemarketing, was factored in, Internet orders made up 79% of the order mix.
Specialty gifts, which made up 9.4% of the Downers Grove, IL-based company’s order mix a year ago, increased to 16.8% of total orders for the third quarter.
“With our historically largest revenue quarter ahead, which includes Administrative Professional’s Week, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, our outlook remains positive,” Michael Soenen, FTD.COM’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
