Insider Media Limited

Thorntons has this morning reported an increase in sales for its second quarter, despite being hit by the bad weather over Christmas. Total sales to 8 January 2011 grew by 3.9 per cent to £83.7m, the Somercotes-based company said.

However, the results are masked slightly by a huge increase of 33.7 per cent to £25.3m in Thorntons’ commercial sales department. Thorntons Direct sales increased by 7.6 per cent to £5.1m with growth in both online and corporate sales.

But it was on the high street where the company was most badly affected; the adverse weather conditions over the Christmas trading period contributed to an own store sales decline of 6.8 per cent to £48.2m with a like for like sales decline of 5.9 per cent. Meanwhile, franchise sales decreased by 2.2 per cent to £5.1m over the period as franchisees experienced similar issues with the weather.

John von Spreckelsen, Thorntons' chairman, was pleased with the results, however. In a statement released today he said: "We are pleased to report sales growth in the second quarter despite the impact of the adverse weather on own stores sales.

"This was offset by a solid performance in the Commercial and Thorntons Direct channels. Overall sales grew by 3.9 per cent with sales of Thorntons' branded products up 4.1 per cent. Easter orders so far from our commercial customers are encouraging.

"The board is cautiously optimistic for the prospects for the current financial year."