CHOCOLATE maker Thorntons has warned that its earnings will fall this year after seeing reduced demand from some supermarkets in the run-up to Christmas.

The retailer, which has 249 stores, including in Bradford, Keighley, Skipton, Halifax and Brighouse, has also experienced short-term problems at its centralised warehouse in Derbyshire which opened in the autumn, resulting in lost and late sales.

Thorntons has relied on more sales through its commercial channels such as supermarkets as it comes to the end of a three-year plan that has seen it close dozens of its own stores.

In October it said it expected to meet full-year pre-tax profits forecasts of £9.65 million for the year to June, up almost a third from £7.5 million in its last financial year.

However it now expects profits for the current period will fail to grow after a “significant reduction” in previously indicated orders from major grocers who also took in stock later than anticipated.

In October it reported a quarterly sales slump due to lower supermarket demand and a quieter period for its own high street stores, with revenues through commercial channels such as supermarkets falling 12.8 per cent to £20.8 million in the 14 weeks to October 4, causing group sales to tumble 11.9 per cent to £41.4 million.

Thorntons has said it plans to reduce the size of its store estate to between 180 and 200 outlets.