The Yankee Candle Co. Inc. reported net loss of $700,000 for the third quarter, compared to net income of $6.7 million last year.

The direct marketer and retailer posted sales of $168.7 million for the quarter ended Oct. 3, 4.2% decrease from $176.2 million in the prior year.

The South Deerfield Beach, MA firm reported that its consumer direct business decreased by 4.4% from the same quarter last year.

Yankee Candle Co. posted a net loss of $16.7 million for the second quarter, compared to net income of $4.8 million in the prior year.

The direct marketer and retailer attributed these results in part to costs associated with its acquisition by Yankee Holding Corp., a unit of Madison Dearborn Partners LLC, in February.

The South Deerfield, MA firm reported revenue of $133.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, a 15% increase over revenue of $116.3 million last year.

The company reported a 7% increase in consumer direct sales during the quarter.