Hotel Chocolat Share Discussion Threads

[netcurtains] 05/2/2021 08:06

Its really weird falls with shops about to open and Valentines and Easter coming up. Someone must know something that we do not.

Are coco prices rising?

[netcurtains] 05/2/2021 08:04

We're back to average prices in Nov.
Lets hope we dont fall back to average prices in August.

[netcurtains] 04/2/2021 09:24

Yeah nithbank - looks like we're stuffed.
Not sure why. Sellers aren't telling us.
But thats it.
Bottom drawer now.
Cant win them all.

[nithbank] 04/2/2021 09:13

Can't understand the share price fall recently, except that it follows a typical pattern after I buy into a stock!

[netcurtains] 02/2/2021 09:18

Heading into big Vals day...
Big Val's day is 14th Feb...

Then run up to Easter starts on 16th Feb (Pancake Day).

Then shops open (week or so later I suspect)

Then spring ice cream.

Then USA and Japanese figures.

boom boom boom..

[netcurtains] 29/1/2021 14:34

This is the last trading day before February.
Valentines Day next.

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 18:24

Profits:
2016 5.5m
2017 11.2m
2018 12.6m
2019 14.0m
2020 -7.5m

turnover:
2016 91m
2017 105m
2018 116m
2019 132m
2020 136m

Its definitely a growth story.
they did great job of keeping the sales
momentum going through 2020 even if
it did mean great costs.

2021 should be a good year in my view.
Easter shops will be open and
Valentines day will be a mega chocolate event!

I am still buying and more confidently now.

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 16:15

Price now lower than the two peeks either side of October and obviously miles lower than the December peek. Next stop would be the April peek. Then we totally into the massive fall of March Covid19 territory.

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 11:42

John Lewis temporarily sold out:

[bookbroker] 28/1/2021 11:33

I see they originated from Wareham, and grown in the period that I lived down there, look’s a nice little company, chances are they use Barry Callebaut for chocolate beans, unless they own a plantation too.

[bookbroker] 28/1/2021 11:28

Never seen them, but then I support independent retailers rather than big box multiples, I’ll look them up as i never heard of them, as I said earlier I am partial to the odd big brand item. Why are they known as Swanage Chocolates, know the town well, up here we have Whitakers Chocolates, but mainly supply the hospitality industry. HC on a very high multiple for a food product, it is not Fevertree, maybe they should start supplying the supermarkets.

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 11:07

bookbroker: you're behind the curve - Swanage chocolates (chococo) is sold in John Lewis too.... Its a biggish (but private) company now.

Anyway, I know I'm right, Hotel Chocolate is doing well, its just a matter of getting a good price - or when is the bottom.... It could be now or it might be a bit later.

Under £4 is good. But under £3 would be brilliant. Just dont know. Go for good or brilliant?

[bookbroker] 28/1/2021 11:00

Net - everyone has their, Poppy Pickering in Ilkley makes there own chocolates, off course for handmade you pay a premium, and it is only a small business. I bought some Belgian truffles in a small independent in Wetherby and they were delicious. I like to support independent shops rather these big concerns, the quality is far superior along with the customer service. Some of the staff in HC. pretty terse, no excuse for a poor demeanour, customer is king!

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 10:55

Hoooooo ray...... First tick up in a million years!!!!

If it can hold this by end of day that would be potentially a sign we have hit pay dirt!!

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 08:25

bookbroker: I'll let you know a secret. I know quite a bit about chocolate. The best chocolate has to be made with fresh ingredients (especially cream). The best UK chocolate company for fresh produce is Swanage.

For mass produced chocolate products Hotel Chocolate is better then most Belgium or Switzerland (they have sat back on past glory too much).

Its not the product or the sales. And clearly you buy shares for the future - HOTC is actually open for Easter Trading (probably in March) - its a food/drink seller.

So your explanation - as nice as it sounds, is not the correct explanation. I'm pretty certain it more like a experienced trading group in HOTC playing with Trading Range. Gut feeling is when "THEY" are ready it will bounce North big time.

[bookbroker] 28/1/2021 08:20

Are their shops open, go into one and you understand that this is a lifestyle company, not a chocolatier. Their business model is based upon this plantation in the Caribbean, the best chocolate is generally regarded as Belgian, this company is trying to find a niche, already has, but fashions change and Belgian chocolate certainly has not over four hundred years.

[netcurtains] 28/1/2021 08:09

This could go right back down to 300 - its falling every single day and no one seems to know why or say why.....

[nithbank] 27/1/2021 16:54

I think the markets see this as a high street chain and haven't cottoned on to the fact that most business is done online. A keeper for me.

[netcurtains] 27/1/2021 13:39

Come on bb let me know why its gone down so far when all the news looks good.
Is it simply that it over reached itself and is correcting to a new trading level?
Or was there some bad news that I did not understand?

[bookbroker] 27/1/2021 13:07

Prefer Cadburys Cream Eggs myself!

[netcurtains] 27/1/2021 12:49

Shops most like to open in March (so reports say).
This means Hotel Chocolate will be open for
important Easter period.

Valentines coming up so this is going to put
Hotel Chocolate in a lot of media....

[netcurtains] 27/1/2021 09:20

Falling again today.
When is the time to buy.
Can some one who knows let us in?

[netcurtains] 26/1/2021 09:41

OK - this has been falling for days.
I like the company.
But not going to buy any more until
we get a day when the price rises.

Currently price is in the peek 2016-18 ranges
but is miles off 2019 range.

Not sure why. Perhaps waiting for USA data?
Or Japanese data?

Or Valentine sales?

Anyone out there know the reason for the fall?

[netcurtains] 25/1/2021 10:20

From very recent trading update:

Online growth more than offset the impact of the temporary closures of physical retail due to COVID restrictions.


Valentines Day and Easter rapidly approaching.
Summer shops will be open and ice cream sales will be going bonkers.

Price relatively low.
RSI low end
Seems a good time to invest?

What are your views?

[netcurtains] 22/1/2021 16:25

WH Smiths already have three aisles of Valentine cards.
Chocolates is the next item on the agenda.
Hotel Chocolate are way off their highs ...

After that its Easter - you know what that means...
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate....

Then its summer ice cream