Sluggish Partylite Sales Hurt Parent Company

Forbes:

The company said its operating margin worsened during the quarter due to lower sales in its PartyLite direct selling business in North America, and seasonal factors in recently acquired European businesses. It also blamed higher raw material prices and investments on new initiatives.

Operating profit in the direct selling segment fell 17 percent to $20.9 million on lower sales and investment in Purple Tree, a new direct sales company selling crafts. Blyth also reported operating losses in both its catalog and online sales and wholesale segments, which it blamed on seasonal factors.