Hotel Chocolat Group PLC Trading Update (8085N)
January 23 2019 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMHOTC
RNS Number : 8085N
Hotel Chocolat Group PLC
23 January 2019
23 January 2019
HOTEL CHOCOLAT GROUP PLC
("Hotel Chocolat", the "Company" or the "Group")
Trading Update
Hotel Chocolat Group plc, a premium British chocolatier and
omni-channel retailer, today announces the following trading update
for the 13 weeks ended 30 December 2018.
Total Group revenue for the period increased 15 per cent
compared to the prior year.
Retail, digital and wholesale channels all achieved growth. The
business opened 15 new stores during the six months ended December
and we now have 117 stores in our UK domestic market.
Trading since December continues to be in line with management's
expectations. The Board expects to announce the Group's results for
the six months ended 31 December 2018 on 26 February 2019.
Angus Thirlwell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
said:
"This was another strong Christmas for Hotel Chocolat. Our new
store openings contributed 5% of the growth in the period, with the
balance coming from existing stores, digital and wholesale
channels. Our wholesale partnerships were notable successes with
strong growth, balancing lower margins with lighter capital
investment.
"The Velvetiser in-home hot chocolate system quickly garnered
rave reviews from press and customers and we sold over three times
our initial forecast. Our new Chocolat Cream Liqueur, as featured
in our documentary film last week, was also a hit. We invested in
the growth of our new VIP Me loyalty scheme, acquiring over 400,000
members during the period, of which over 85% were in-store buyers,
not previously on our database.
"Initial customer response to our new location in New York and
joint venture store in Tokyo has been very encouraging,
demonstrating the global appeal of the Hotel Chocolat brand and its
ability to travel overseas."
This announcement is released by Hotel Chocolat and contains
inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market
Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), and is disclosed in
accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
This announcement is being made on behalf of the Company by Matt
Pritchard, Chief Financial Officer of Hotel Chocolat.
Enquiries:
Hotel Chocolat Group PLC Tel: +44 (0) 1763 257 746
Angus Thirlwell, Co-Founder and CEO
Peter Harris, Co-Founder and Development Director
Matt Pritchard, CFO
Liberum (Nominated Adviser and Sole Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Clayton Bush
Andrew Godber
James Greenwood
Trystan Cullen
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7638 9571
Angharad Couch
Ellen Wilton
Elizabeth Kittle
Notes to Editors:
Hotel Chocolat is a premium British chocolatier with a strong
and distinct brand. The business was founded in 1993 by Angus
Thirlwell and Peter Harris and has traded under the Hotel Chocolat
brand since 2003. The Group sells its products online and through a
network of stores in the UK and abroad. The Group has a cocoa
plantation and eco-hotel in Saint Lucia, offering complete cocoa
immersion thorough tree-to-bar experiences and wellness treatments.
The Group also has a flagship restaurant and cocoa roastery in
London's Borough Market: Rabot 1745. The Group was admitted to
trading on AIM in 2016.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
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