Figures sweeten for Thorntons

Chocolate sales dipped over summer

Confectionery group Thorntons says a strong performance over Christmas has helped make up for poor demand for chocolate last summer.

The group, based in Somercotes, Derbyshire, reported that total sales improved by 4.4% to £109.3m over the 28 weeks ending 10 January.

The chocolate maker and retailer complained last year that the hottest summer since 1976 put shoppers off chocolate.

But in a trading statement on Thursday, it described the improvement in sales as encouraging.

Chief executive Peter Burdon said: "Whilst the turnaround in sales since the summer is very encouraging, we recognise that creating consistent sales growth is key and this is central to our strategy."