Hotel Chocolat posts record Christmas sales as it expands in the US
Hotel Chocolat has been celebrating its most successful Christmas to date after sales rose by 10.4% in the four weeks to 29 December.
The premium chocolatier said 21 and 23 December were its busiest trading days both online and in-store.
Angus Thirlwell, Hotel Chocolat founder and global chief executive, said: “This Christmas was our most successful to date and testament to the dedication of our manufacturing-distributing and retailing teams in particular.
“Despite consumers continuing to feel the pinch, they went for quality this Christmas and we posted strong sales across our accessible price points from the £5.95 Chocolate-filled Table Cracker right up to our £200 Velvetiser Experience Hamper.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!The retailer is planning to launch 25 new stores across the UK this year, including a 6,000 square foot outlet in Manchester in the spring. The openings will create around 200 new roles.
It is also preparing to open its first stores in Chicago, with two planned in time for Easter. The retailer said its US online business is continuing to grow at pace, with its Velvetiser in-home drinking chocolate system now present in more than 100,000 US homes.
Thirlwell added: “We are excited to be opening right in the heart of Chicago and bringing the Hotel Chocolat experience to the city.
“These initial stores are being fitted out as we speak. Our US store opening plan will combine with our existing digital channel to tell our brand story and underpin what makes us different.”
