The boss of Otel Chocolat raised his profit forecast because the AIM-listed chain stores are still in a state of lockdown, but sales are still soaring.
The preferred gift-giving chocolate maker said in a transaction update that in the year ended June 27, its revenue increased 21% year-on-year to 165 million pounds, and its sales since the reopening of non-essential retail stores in mid-April An increase of 63% in the same period of 2020.
The company said that since December 2019, its UK customer base has grown 66% to 3 million, and online sales of its US joint venture startups are soaring.
The company completed a £22 million equity financing in March 2020 and will return £3.1 million of vacation cash to the Ministry of Finance, adding that it has negotiated the rent of 30% of its UK stores. It now plans to hire 250 employees this year.
Co-founder and CEO Angus Thirlwell said: “Our goal of becoming the most technologically active chocolate brand is advancing by leaps and bounds… This year we expect that more than 50% of our sales will come from digitalization, partners, and subscription continuity models. , Reflecting how Hotel Chocolat grew and developed.”
Shares rose 2.8% on Tuesday morning.
