British Chocolatier Sees Strong Sales and New Store Openings

  • 14% increase in revenues to £91.7m for the half-year period ended 29 December 2019
  • Nine new stores opened in UK, totaling 125 sites nationwide
  • Underlying EBITDA increased by 7% to £18.5m
  • Profit before tax up by 7% to £14.9m
  • New markets in the US and Japan showing promising consumer response

British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat has reported a 14% increase in revenues to £91.7m for the half-year period ended 29 December 2019, with strong sales growth attributed to continued brand appeal and ongoing product innovation. The company opened nine new stores in the UK, bringing its total portfolio to 125 sites across the country. Additionally, underlying EBITDA increased by 7% to £18.5m compared to the same period last year, and profit before tax was also up by 7% to £14.9m. Co-founder and CEO Angus Thirlwell said that new store openings contributed three percentage points of the growth in the period, with the remaining balance coming from existing locations, digital, and wholesale channels. He added that strong growth came from a wider variety of sales channels than in previous years, which led to some initial challenges in their supply chain. The company is also seeing promising consumer response in new markets like the US and Japan.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the company’s financial performance, including revenue increase, store expansion, and CEO’s comments on growth strategies without any sensationalism or personal opinions.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the financial performance and expansion plans of Hotel Chocolat, with quotes from its CEO. It is not filled with irrelevant or misleading content, and it does not dive into unrelated territories.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Hotel Chocolat’s stock price and shares may be impacted
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the company’s financial performance, including revenue growth, EBITDA, and profit before tax, which are relevant to investors and financial markets.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk