FRENCH FRAGRANCES INC
8-K, 1999-05-19
PERFUMES, COSMETICS & OTHER TOILET PREPARATIONS
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                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                      Washington D.C. 20549


                             FORM 8-K

                          CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                 
  
  
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   May 17, 1999
  
  
  
                     FRENCH FRAGRANCES, INC.
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                 
  
  
          Florida                 1-6370           59-0914138
 (State or other jurisdiction   (Commission       (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)         File Number)    Identification No.)

  

        14100 N.W. 60th Avenue
         Miami Lakes, Florida                          33014
(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)
  
  
  
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (305) 818-8000







  -------------------------------------------------------------
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
<PAGE>
ITEM 5.    OTHER EVENTS.
 
     On May 17, 1999, the Board of Directors of French Fragrances,
Inc. (the "Company") approved a share repurchase program of up to
$5,000,000 of the Company's Common Stock.  Filed herewith and
incorporated herein by reference is a copy of the Company press
release, dated May 18, 1999, announcing the share repurchase program.
 
ITEM 7.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND
           EXHIBITS.
 
     (c) Exhibits.
 
           (99) Press Release dated May 18, 1999.


                            SIGNATURE
                                 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Date:  May 19, 1999.            FRENCH FRAGRANCES, INC.
 
 
                                By:    /s/ William J. Mueller
                                       ----------------------
                                Name:  William J. Mueller
                                Title: Vice President, Chief
                                       Financial Officer and
                                       Treasurer
 
  <PAGE>
                     FRENCH FRAGRANCES, INC.
                                
                             FORM 8-K
                                
                          CURRENT REPORT
                                
                          Exhibit Index
                                
                                
EXHIBIT NO.      DESCRIPTION                              PAGE
- -----------      -----------                              ----
(99)             Press Release dated May 18, 1999.          


[French Fragrances, Inc. logo] 
French Fragrances, Inc.
14100 NW 60 Avenue
Miami Lakes, Florida 33014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  
         FRENCH FRAGRANCES REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
              AND ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI, FLORIDA (May 18, 1999) -- French Fragrances, Inc. (NASDAQ NM:
FRAG), a leading manufacturer and marketer of prestige fragrances,
today reported operating results for the first quarter ended April 30,
1999.
  
Net sales for the quarter rose 24% to $57.5 million, compared to $46.6
million for the corresponding period last year.  Gross profit
increased 29% to $17.2 million, from $13.3 million, while EBITDA
(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)
declined 9% to $5.1 million, from $5.6 million, during the first
quarter last year.  For the current period, there was a net loss of
approximately $1.4 million, or $.10 per share, compared to net income
of $304,000, or $.02 per share, in last year's first quarter.
  
The increases in net sales and gross profit reflect continued growth
in both the Company's controlled and distributed brands.  The reduced
EBITDA and the net loss are attributable primarily to increases in
sales and marketing expenses associated with the integration of the
business of Paul Sebastian, Inc., which the Company acquired at the
end of January 1999.  The expenses consisted of the additional sales
force and promotional and marketing expenses related to the Paul
Sebastian and Nautica prestige fragrance lines.  Because of the
depleted inventory stocks of Paul Sebastian at the time of
acquisition, the Company did not derive any significant sales or gross
margin benefits from the acquisition during the first quarter.
  
French Fragrances reported continued improvement in its working
capital utilization.  During the three months ended April 30, 1999,
the Company generated $13.5 million of cash from operations, compared
to using $40.4 million of cash from operations during last year's
first quarter.  On April 30, 1999, accounts receivable balances were
$46.5 million and inventory balances were $123.8 million, compared to
$51.8 million and $133.3 million, respectively, at January 31, 1999. 
<PAGE>
Cash on hand at April 30, 1999 approximated $12.6 million and no
amounts were outstanding under the bank credit facility. 

"We are pleased with our continued sales growth across our business
and that we attained results consistent with analysts' expectations"
said E. Scott Beattie, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We
also are satisfied with our continued progress in working capital
utilization.  The integration of the Paul Sebastian business is
complete, and we are very excited about the contribution this
acquisition will have to our business, both in terms of financial
results for the balance of the year, and in positioning the Company to
continue to acquire additional brands and distribution relationships."

The Company also reported that its Board of Directors authorized
yesterday a stock repurchase program which will allow the Company to
initially buy up to $5 million of its common stock.  Under the terms
of the program, which has no expiration date, the Company expects to
buy stock, from time to time in the open market, depending on
market conditions and other factors.
  
Following are unaudited consolidated income statement data for the
three months ended April 30, 1999 and 1998, and unaudited balance
sheet data at April 30, 1999, January 31, 1999 and April 30, 1998.
  
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking
statements, including supply constraints or difficulties; the
substantial indebtedness of the company; the impact of competitive
products and pricing; the company's ability to successfully integrate
acquired companies and new brands into the company; changes in the
retail industry; the effect of business and economic conditions; and
other risks and uncertainties.  Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak
only as of the date hereof.  The Company assumes no responsibility to
update or revise forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect events or circumstances following the date hereof.
  
                              # # #
  
Investor Contact:   William J. Mueller, Chief Financial Officer
                    (305) 818-8102
  
Press Contact:      Steven Anreder/Larry Hirschhorn
                    Anreder Hirschhorn & Silver
                    (212) 532-3232
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        FRENCH FRAGRANCES, INC. 
          CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT AND BALANCE SHEET DATA
                               (Unaudited)
 (In thousands, except percentages and per share data and current ratio)
<CAPTION>  
                                           Three Months Ended
                                                 April 30,
                                            1999          1998
                                          -------       -------
   <S>                                    <C>           <C>
   Net Sales                              $57,532       $46,546
   Gross Profit                            17,214        13,317
   Gross Profit Percentage (a)              29.9%         28.6%
            
   Warehouse and Shipping Expenses          2,893         1,889
   Selling, General and Administrative
    Expenses                                9,239         5,857
   Depreciation and Amortization            2,773         1,596
                                          -------       -------
   Total Operating Expenses                14,905         9,342
            
   Interest Expense                         4,567         3,566
   Interest and Other Income                    7            77
            
   (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes       (2,251)          487
   Provision for Income Taxes                (879)          183
                                          -------       -------
   Net (Loss) Income                      $(1,372)      $   304
                                          =======       =======
   Net Income Percentage (a)                   (b)         0.7%
            
   Basic Earnings per Share                 $(.10)         $.02
   Diluted Earnings per Share               $(.10)         $.02
   Primary Share Equivalents               13,812        13,669
   Diluted Share Equivalents               15,212        17,618
   EBITDA                                   5,082         5,572
   EBITDA Percentage (a)                     8.8%         12.0%
   __________________
   (a)   Based on the percentages of Net Sales for the periods.
   (b)   Not Applicable.

                                                   As of
                                    April 30,   January 31,   April 30,
                                      1999         1999         1998
                                    ---------   -----------   ---------
  Cash                              $ 12,593     $  6,112     $  4,930
  Accounts Receivable, Net            46,534       51,796       66,756
  Inventories                        123,776      133,306      112,448
  Property and Equipment              19,227       19,021       20,053
  Brand Licenses and Trademarks       53,992       55,658       41,936
  Total Assets                       286,173      294,708      273,111
  Short-Term Debt                         --        5,639        1,743
  Current Liabilities                 39,935       47,069       34,752
  Long-Term Liabilities              176,130      176,159      178,719
  Shareholders' Equity                70,108       71,480       59,641
  Working Capital                    158,272      157,457      159,856
  Current Ratio                         4.96         4.35         5.60

</TABLE>


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