Supermarket and own-brand trade outstripped Thorntons' stores
A jump in supermarket sales helped Thorntons avoid a repeat of its dismal 2011 Christmas.
The group said commercial sales grew 26.4% to £34.7 million in the 14 weeks to January 12, against a 1.3% decline in like-for-like sales in its store estate.
Chief executive Jonathan Hart was pleased with overall progress, which compares favourably with the profits warning issued in the run-up to the previous Christmas period.
Thorntons said its share of the market for boxed chocolates sold through commercial channels increased from 11.7% to 12.1% in the 14-week period as it looks to rebalance its routes to market.
