Thorntons increases turnover in first half

UK luxury chocolate and confectionery manufacturer and retailer Thorntons has reported a 9.5% increase in turnover to £119.7m (€173.5m) for the first half of business year 2004/2005. The company said that for the 28 weeks to 8 January profit before tax rose to £13.3m from £12.1m a year earlier. “Most of the sales growth came from the sale of Thorntons branded products through other retailers where we have been establishing a presence in the past two years,” said executive chairman Christopher Burnett. Commercial sales were up £9.8m to £13.4m for the first half. Own shop like-for-like sales rose 0.8%.