Home fragrance marketer Blyth, Inc. reported that net sales for the first quarter ended April 30, 2009 declined approximately 7% to $214.7 million compared to the prior year period.

Commenting on the company's financial results, Robert B. Goergen, Blyth's chairman of the board and chief executive officer, said, "Consumer spending during the first quarter was weak and was overwhelmingly value-driven as evidenced by sales trends in each of our North American businesses. In Europe, however, our sales increased 7% in local currency as consumer spending continued to hold up better."