TIDMHOTC

RNS Number : 4296L

Hotel Chocolat Group PLC

19 July 2017

19 July 2017

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, is pleased to announce a trading update for the 53 weeks ended 2 July 2017 ("FY17").

Revenue for FY17 was GBP105 million. On a comparable basis, revenue for the 52 weeks ended 25 June 2017 was GBP104m, an increase of 12 per cent compared to the prior year*, slightly ahead of market expectations.

Two new stores opened in the second half of the year, bringing the total to twelve new stores in FY17 which contributed 5 per cent to Group sales year-on-year. Eight of the twelve new stores feature a cafe. The new shop+cafe format is working well. A refit of the existing Milton Keynes store, due to open before the end of July will test the impact of adding a cafe to an existing location.

The spring seasonal ranges delivered encouraging results and, following successful trials, our unique cocoa-infused ice cream known as Ice Cream of the Gods, is now on sale in 37 locations. A new website launched early in 2017 offering an improved shopping experience on tablets and smartphones.

Trading since FY17 continues to be in line with management's expectations.

The Board expects to announce the Group's preliminary results for FY17 on 27 September 2017.

Angus Thirlwell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hotel Chocolat, said: "Hotel Chocolat has had another good year, with encouraging growth. We are excited about the progress made with our new shop+cafe format stores and our seasonal ranges continue to perform well."

*Group revenue growth is measured on a pro-forma basis in constant currency.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation.

Enquiries:

 
 Hotel Chocolat Group          Tel: +44 (0) 1763 257 
  Limited                       746 
 Angus Thirlwell, Co-Founder 
  and CEO 
  Peter Harris, Co-Founder 
  and Development Director 
  Matt Pritchard, CFO 
 Liberum (Nominated Adviser    Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000 
  and Sole Broker) 
 Clayton Bush 
  Lucy Sharma 
  Jill Li 
 Citigate Dewe Rogerson        Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7638 
                                9571 
 Simon Rigby 
  Ellen Wilton

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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