In a trading update for both the 13-week period and 26-week period ending December 29, 2019, the premium chocolate retailer reported group revenue increases of 11% and 14% respectively.

It said trading for the 13-week period including Christmas “continues to be in line with management’s expectations, though the cost to deliver this growth was modestly higher due to inefficiencies in the supply chain” – which it said would be addressed in 2020.

In the 26-week period, Hotel Chocolat reported the opening of nine new UK stores, which meant it ended the year with 125 across its estate.