// Hotel Chocolat says sales soared 14% to £132m for the year ending June 30
// Profits are also expected to hit expectations
// Full details on full-year results to be unveiled September 24
Hotel Chocolat has praised its “relentless” innovation for a double-digit uptick in sales for its full year ending June, according to a trading update today.
For the 52 week period ending June 30, sales were up 14 per cent to £132 million on the same period last year.
Detail beyond this is scant, but Hotel Chocolat said its store roll out was going well with 16 new openings in both the UK and overseas – including two in the US.
The confectionery retailer added that sales were bolstered by “strong growth” across all divisions of its business.
Hotel Chocolat also said that trading remained in line with expectations, with profits expected to follow.
It will unveil the full details of its annual results on September 24.
“I’m really pleased with our performance this year, delivering strong growth across all parts of the Hotel Chocolat multi-channel, direct-to-consumer model,” chief executive Angus Thirlwell said.
“New activities in the year included openings in the US and Japan; the launch of the Velvetiser – our in-home drinking chocolate system; and the introduction of our VIP ME rewards card scheme, all of which present substantial future growth opportunities.
“Our pace of innovation is relentless. In our drinks and ices range we are seeing the most prolific new product Instagramming in our history, with Billionaire’s Sundaes, Choc Shakes and Vegan Chocolate-Dipped Lollies generating lots of excitement.”
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