Profits at Backcountry.com and Bodybuilding.com remained under pressure in the first quarter as winter clearance and promotional activities drove down margins for the online retailers, according to parent Liberty Interactive Corp.



In the aggregate, LINTAs non-QVC, e-commerce businesses increased revenue 20 percent to $460 million for the first quarter. Adjusted OIBDA increased 15 percent to $39 million and operating income increased 27 percent to $19 million.

 

While the company does not break out results for any of the six businesses in the group, LINTA President and CEO Greg Maffei said Backcountry.com was again hurt by a surplus of winter goods.  

 

“Looking at Backcountry, I think they have largely been a victim of poor winter weather,” Maffei told analysts during the company’s earnings call.  “They have a better start in terms of revenue this year, still some margin pressures because of release of prior-year goods, not just with us, but in the industry. And great progress in some of their ancillary categories, like cycling and BMX gear.

 

Maffei concluded by saying I think we feel very good about the progress of Backcountry. Pray for cold, early winter weather and we will have good results.”

 

Bodybuilding.com, which sells nutritional supplements and other body building products on a content rich site, had great top line growth, but also struggled to maintain margins due to several promotions.