Hotel Chocolat savours record sales as it announces plans to open 25 stores and hire 200 more staff

Published on: January 27, 2025

By DAILY MAIL CITY & FINANCE REPORTER

Updated: 22:01 GMT, 27 January 2025

Hotel Chocolat savoured record Christmas sales amid plans to expand.

The retailer said yesterday that it will open 25 stores and hire 200 more staff.

The chocolate seller, which was bought by Mars last year, made 10 per cent more in sales over the festive period in 2024 than the previous year.

The company said it is planning 25 stores, including what it describes as its ‘most expansive ever’ outlet in Manchester in spring. And it also plans to open two stores as part of a US expansion plan.

Expansion plans: Hotel Chocolat, which was bought by Mars last year, made 10% more in sales over the festive period in 2024 than the previous year

Co-founders Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris both netted £144million from the sale to Mars last year.

The overall deal saw the US confectionery giant pay £534million for Hotel Chocolat, which had previously shut down its

five American stores before changing ownership. The firm opened its first shop in north London in 2004 and has since expanded rapidly.

Thirlwell, who is chief executive, said: ‘This Christmas was our most successful to date.

‘Despite consumers continuing to feel the pinch, they went for quality this Christmas and we posted strong sales.’

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Hotel Chocolat savours record sales as it announces plans to open 25 stores and hire 200 more staff

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk

Hotel Chocolat savours record sales as it announces plans to open 25 stores and hire 200 more staff