Hotel Chocolat (LON:HOTC) delivered strong Christmas trading results on Wednesday, with a 28 percent profit boost sending shares up over 5 percent.
The strong sales were the result of a “very successful” Christmas, which caused pre-tax profit to rise to £11.2 million in the first half of the luxury chocolatier’s financial year.
Reported revenue rose 14 percent to £62.5 million. Underlying earnings (EBITDA) rose 27 percent to £13.7 million from £10.8 million and underlying EBTIDA margins increased to 21.9 percent from 19.7 percent.
In a statement alongside the results, Hotel Chocolat said it was confident strong sales would continue into their upcoming key trading periods, Mother’s Day and Easter.
The chocolatier, who run both coffee shops and chocolate stores all over the UK, have seen shares rise 73 percent since it floated on the stock market in May of last year. The group opened a further 10 new stores during the period, contributing 4 percent to group sales year-on-year.
“The critical Christmas period was very successful, helped by good availability, popular and innovative new ranges and significantly increased digital transactions. We have strong plans in place for the key spring seasons of Mother’s Day and Easter and are confident of further progress”, he added.
Shares in Hotel Chocolat are currently trading up 6.55 percent at 271.98 (1058GMT).
