Thorntons reports siginificant rise in online sales

UK-based chocolate maker Thorntons saw sales through its website grow 12% in its latest financial year. That helped the Thorntons Direct division, which also includes mail order, to a 15.1% rise in sales, to GBP 9.2 m from GBP 8 m at the same time last year. Improvements to the website, increased marketing and a wider use of personalisation, giving shoppers the chance to design their own box, using a photo printed on the lid, all played their part in the growth of the Thorntons Direct division.

According to the company, total sales, however, were flat at GBP 214.6 m in the year to June 26, slightly down from last year’s GBP 214.8m while pre-tax profits before exceptionals dipped to by 2.4% to GBP 6.1 m, the company reported. Overall, the retail division, with the exception of Thorntons Direct, underperformed, with overall sales falling by 3.7% to GBP 152.0 m from GBP 157.8 m at the same time last year. Like-for-like sales on the high street fell by 3.5% for the year. Commercial sales, however, grew by 9.8% to GBP 62.6 m, from GBP 57 m last time.

www.thorntons.co.uk