Upmarket chocolate company Charbonnel et Walker has enjoyed a sweet 31% turnover leap, with the brand helped in part by the City getting busier as more customers returned to offices.
The chocolatier, which was founded in London in 1875, recorded sales of £20.6 million for the year to April 30. Demand for new seasonal products, such as Valentine’s hearts and Easter collections, contributed to the growth.
A spokesman added that London branches "have seen a good increase in sales, especially our City of London stores at Broadgate and Canary Wharf where people are increasingly coming back to work in the office vs working from home".
The firm has four UK standalone shops, sells online and its products are also stocked by department stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, John Lewis and Harvey Nichols.
The company, owned by part of Canada’s Weston family, reported pre-tax profit of £4.4 million, up from £2 million.
On current inflation levels, it acknowledged that rising prices are currently of note in the cocoa market. But the retailer said it seeks to mitigate these by having careful cost controls in place.
The business started when Edward VII, (then the Prince of Wales) encouraged the introduction of Madame Charbonnel, known for making fine chocolates in Paris, to jewellery and hat box maker Mrs. Walker from London.
Today the luxury brand's gift boxes feature the Royal Warrant to Queen Elizabeth II, and following the change of the monarch Warrant Grants are in the process of being reviewed. Charbonnel et Walker is among the companies waiting to hear the outcome at a later date.
