Chocolatier Thorntons retail like-for-likes increased 1.1% in its full year but fell 3.9% in its fourth quarter.
In the year to June 28, online sales rose 15.4% while like-for-likes edged up 1.9% in its franchise arm.
Total sales for the year inched up 0.7% despite a 5.6% fall in its retail division after the retailer closed 36 stores. Sales in its FMCG division jumped 7.9%.
Thorntons said profit for the full year is expected to be in line with market expectations.
In the last nine weeks of the financial year total sales slumped 11.1% after the retailer shuttered 11 stores.
Thorntons chief executive Jonathan Hart said: “We are pleased to report a positive overall performance across the business for the year and anticipate profit to be in line with market expectations.
“Our FMCG division returned to growth during the quarter as a result of a strong performance in our UK commercial channel.
“In line with previous periods, we saw no signs of improvement in consumer spending on the high street during this quarter, which is our shortest and smallest quarter and accounts for around 10% of full year sales.
“The marketplace remains competitive and, in line with our strategy, we continue to focus on the profitability of the business which has improved considerably over the past three years. We are on track with our store closure programme which is focused on delivering a sustainable retail estate and remain confident that our strategy is the right one.”
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