‘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’
Hotel Chocolat enjoyed its best ever Christmas, with UK sales hitting record highs.
The chocolatier, snapped up by Mars last year, is set to spread even more joy with plans to open 25 new UK stores and create 200 jobs.
During the festive season in 2024, the company generated a 10% increase in sales compared to the previous year. Hotel Chocolat is gearing up to unveil its “most expansive ever” store in Manchester come spring, alongside two fresh outlets in the US as part of an ambitious stateside expansion.
Co-founders Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris pocketed a cool £144m each from Mars’ £534m acquisition of the British brand, which had previously closed its five US shops before the takeover. Since launching its first boutique in north London in 2004, Hotel Chocolat has grown exponentially, offering everything from classic chocolate assortments to luxurious velvetisers online and in-store.
Chief executive Angus Thirlwell 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.”
He said that the Chicago stores are “being fitted out” right now to be ready in time for the Easter rush.
