1-800-FLOWERS’ third quarter results missed Wall Street’s expectations, with revenue and adjusted earnings per share both falling short of analyst estimates. Management attributed the performance to a deliberate shift in marketing strategy, prioritizing marketing contribution margin over pure sales growth. CEO Adolfo Villagomez described the company as being early in a turnaround process, noting, “there is much more work to be done and inevitably, there will be some challenges.” The team pointed to ongoing operational efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives as partially offsetting softer sales, with early signs of improvement in underlying profitability when adjusting for timing-related items.

Is now the time to buy FLWS? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From 1-800-FLOWERS’s Q3 Earnings Call

• Michael Kupinski (NOBLE Capital Markets) asked about lingering fuel surcharges and their impact. CFO James Langrock replied that surcharges have moderated but remain a factor in shipping costs.
• Kupinski (NOBLE Capital Markets) questioned changes to product assortment and price points. CEO Adolfo Villagomez explained that the merchandising team continually adjusts strategy in response to market trends.
• Kupinski (NOBLE Capital Markets) inquired about competitive intensity in the floral market. Villagomez noted increased competition for digital ad space, driving up marketing costs rather than product price cuts.
• Anthony Lebiedzinski (Sidoti & Company) requested details on the impact of the wholesale order timing shift. Langrock estimated a $3–4 million revenue impact due to orders moving between quarters.
• Douglas Lane (Water Tower Research) asked about the potential impact of new tariffs on Colombian flower imports. Langrock cautioned that such tariffs could substantially raise input costs, affecting the entire U.S. floral industry.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the effectiveness of ongoing cost reduction efforts and whether identified savings materialize as planned, (2) progress in ramping up sales through third-party marketplaces and physical retail pilots, and (3) the impact of competitive pressures on digital marketing costs and customer acquisition. We will also watch closely for any industry-wide tariff developments that could further affect margins.

1-800-FLOWERS currently trades at $3.47, in line with $3.50 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

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