Elizabeth Arden said today that first quarter sales rose 4.6% to $284.2 million. However, the company reported a net loss of $12.5 million due, for the most part, to the recent Liz Claiborne license agreement and restructuring expenses. Excluding these expenses, income was $3.1 million.

“We were pleased with our results this quarter, which were essentially on plan, particularly given the global economic weakness and foreign currency volatility,” said E. Scott Beattie, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Elizabeth Arden. “Net sales of our North America fragrance business increased by 9%, driven largely by the contribution from the Liz Claiborne brands and our new launches.”

According to Mr. Beattie, the integration of the Liz Claiborne fragrance business has gone very well and is nearly complete. He noted too, that several new launches, including new fragrance brands from Juicy Couture, Usher and Mariah Carey, as well as the Rocawear 9IX fragrance, have performed well.

Prevage Body was also introduced in the U.S. this quarter, which led to a 27% increase in net sales of the Prevage franchise. International net sales rose 1%, which was on top of an 18% increase in the first quarter of the prior year.

However, the company has revised its fiscal 2009 guidance for the first half and full fiscal year. It currently expects reported net sales to increase by 1.0% to 3.5% for the first half of fiscal 2009 and to increase by 6.5% to 8.5% for the full fiscal year. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, the company expects net sales to increase by 3.5% to 6.0% for the first half of fiscal 2009 and by 9.5% to 11.5% for the full fiscal year, assuming current rates.