EXCLUSIVE: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM CEO McCann on Organic Growth and Acquisitions

This is the second of a three part series. Read McCann's comments on Valentines day 2014 here

In an exclusive interview with Benzinga, James McCann, CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM FLWS, discussed the strength of the company’s balance sheet and how it will play a role in the future.

As noted in the first part of this series, the addition of fruit bouquets may have to potential to revolution the company. McCann commented, “I think it will be one of the primary growth in sales generators in the years to come as we get more and more coverage because we’re training all florists to make these bouquets.”

McCann also commented on the company’s capacity for acquisitions. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM engages with the customer to understand if there are any products that would help them better interact with the important people in their lives.

“If there is a product they would like to use or think they would like to use that we can test, then it’s appropriate to develop those organically. Or if there is a terrific product that our customers like that we are not in yet, we are open to acquisitions, but they have to fit the profile of the kinds of products that we want: a company that has the opportunity to grow synergistically with the assets we bring to the table, including our fulfillment system, our customers, and our technology platform.”

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What stands out is the degree that 1-800-FLOWERS.COM interacts with acquired companies. Rather than purchasing the technology or customer base, McCann looks at it as a two way relationship. For example, because 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has a large chocolate business, it can help a newly acquired chocolateer with supplying and manufacturing while the acquiree provides a quality product that can be launched on a national scale.

Stay tuned for McCann’s discussion of the role social and mobile will play in the company’s future.

Shares were last trading up one percent on the day to $5.30.