CHOCOLATE retailer Thorntons has vowed to stick by its strategy after the struggles of a “couple of major grocers” offset a strong Christmas in its stores.

The Derbyshire-based retailer, which has 247 shops, including branches in Bradford, Keighley, Skipton, Halifax and Brighouse, was forced to issue a profits warning on December 23 following weaker supermarket demand and teething problems at its new centralised warehouse.

In a further update , it said it had been encouraged by a 7.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales for its retail estate during December amid strong demand for boxed chocolates, seasonal specialities and advent calendars.

But a couple of struggling major grocers meant sales via commercial channels dipped by 10.3 per cent to £41.9 million in the 14 weeks to January 10. Thorntons has relied on increasing commercial business as it comes to the end of a three-year plan that has seen it close dozens of its own stores.

Chief executive Jonathan Hart said the company remained confident in its strategy and ongoing transformation.