Chocolate Retailer’s Successful Year and Future Prospects

  • 14% increase in revenue to £132m for the year ending 30 June 2019
  • Opened 16 new stores, contributing 5% to group sales year-on-year
  • Two new stores in USA and joint venture in Japan
  • Profit before tax expected to be in line with market expectations
  • Trading since FY19 continues as per management’s expectations
  • CEO Angus Thirlwell pleased with performance, cites new activities as growth opportunities

Hotel Chocolat Group, a chocolate retailer, has reported a 14% increase in revenue to £132m for the year ending 30 June 2019. The company opened 16 new stores during this period, contributing 5% to group sales year-on-year. Two of these openings were in the USA, and they entered into a joint venture in Japan with two store openings in Tokyo. Hotel Chocolat’s management expects profit before tax for FY19 to be in line with market expectations and trading since then has been consistent with their projections. CEO Angus Thirlwell expressed satisfaction with the performance, highlighting new activities such as US and Japanese expansions, the launch of the Velvetiser (an in-home drinking chocolate system), and the introduction of the VIP ME rewards card scheme as promising growth opportunities.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Hotel Chocolat Group’s revenue increase, new store openings, international expansion, and the company’s expectations for profit before tax. It also includes a quote from the CEO discussing their performance and future growth opportunities.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Hotel Chocolat Group’s financial performance and expansion plans, with a focus on revenue increase and new store openings. It also mentions the CEO’s positive outlook for future growth opportunities. However, it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of long-term trends or consequences of decisions.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Hotel Chocolat Group’s stock price
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the company’s financial performance and expansion plans, which can impact its stock price and overall value.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: No extreme event mentioned in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk