UK chocolate retailer and manufacturer Thorntons has said its total sales rose 9.5% to £119.7m (US$224.7m) for the 28 weeks to 8 January; however, like-for-like sales in the run-up to Christmas were down on last year.
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Thorntons said like-for-like sales for the half year rose 0.8% in company-owned stores, but slid 0.5% in the four weeks to Christmas. Total half-year sales in company-owned shops declined by 0.3% to £85.4m, while the number of stores was down by 11 to 377.
Franchise sales were up by 9.3% to £8.6m but there were 20 more outlets than in the first half last year. On a like-for-like basis franchise sales were down 4.1%.
The company said commercial sales accounted for almost all of the increase in group sales in the first half. Thorntons products sold to other retailers increased by £9.8m to £13.4m. Private label commercial sales rose by 2.7% to £9.1m.
“Christmas trade in our own shops began slowly compared with last year, but picked up strongly in the final few days. Significant growth in the sale of Thorntons products into other retailers was anticipated by management and factored into our plans,” said chairman Christopher Burnett.
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By GlobalData“Based on our expected interim results, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, we would anticipate the results for the full year to be in line with management’s expectations,” he added.
