Hotel Chocolat has posted an increase in full-year sales, boosted by the opening of 15 new stores and its growing online customer base.
The chocolatier said revenues jumped 12% to £116m during the 52 weeks ended July 1.
In a pre-close trading update, Hotel Chocolat added that pre-tax profit for the year will be “in line with expectations”.
Boss Angus Thirlwell said the results represented “another strong year” for the business and insisted he was “encouraged” by the performance of both new and existing stores.
Hotel Chocolat opened 15 new stores during the year, which contributed half of the retailer’s growth.
It added that the growth in its online customer base, where it attracted 200,000 new shoppers, further swelled its top line.
Thirlwell said: “Hotel Chocolat has had another strong year. While there has been considerable recent media coverage of retail generally, we are encouraged by the performance of both our new and existing locations.
“Customers are continuing to respond well to our luxury brand and lifestyle propositions. During the recent heatwave in the UK, our new chilled chocolate drinks, unique chocs to chill, Ice Cream of the Gods and improved cocoa beers have been very popular.”
Hotel Chocolat will post its preliminary results on September 27.
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