Thorntons Plc Share Discussion Threads

[soundbuy] 23/12/2014 08:33

'no significant excess seasonal stock is anticipated.'.

Ummmmmmm........

[soundbuy] 23/12/2014 08:30

Here

Thorntons announces that its UK Commercial channel within its FMCG division has faced challenges which have adversely affected its sales performance in the run up to Christmas. Meanwhile, the Retail division is currently experiencing like-for-like sales growth. Against a strong comparative period last year, the Board now anticipates a decline in sales in the UK Commercial channel for the second quarter of the current financial year. The Board now expects earnings for the full year to be below those achieved for the last financial year.



During the first half there have been two principal challenges. We have recently experienced a significant reduction in previously indicated orders from the major grocers who also took in stock later than anticipated. While there has been an overall decline, the performance in the grocers has been mixed with good growth in several of our major partners yet significant volume decline in some others where prior year sales of high-volume lines have not been repeated. We have also seen good growth in the convenience and high street sectors.



Secondly, despite extensive prior testing, we encountered significant short-term difficulties with our new centralised warehouse which resulted in disruption for all our customers. In particular in our UK Commercial channel we experienced lost and late sales with consequent missed promotional slots and reorders. Our warehousing and distribution facility is now working normally. The move to a centralised warehouse was essential to meet current and future business patterns and growth. This will result in improved capacity and quality of service for our customers in the future.



Timely management action has resulted in good control of costs and stocks. Christmas seasonal specialities have sold well and no significant excess seasonal stock is anticipated.



The Board remains confident in its strategy, multi-channel approach and ongoing transformation. A further trading update will be issued on 19 January 2015.

[maximillian1] 23/12/2014 08:29

Morning all
Can anybody put a copy of the statement on the board ..can access it on advfn..

[pj 1] 23/12/2014 08:18

The Warehouse problems will have caused problems in the Manufacturing chain. As the Warehouse must have become the bottleneck then I suspect production is/was reduced, at a key time where Sales cannot recoup (until Easter but then its different products)

Therefore downtime and slack capacity will reduce hours produced and increase costs per unit (chocolate).

Id prepare for another profit warning imo

Off the watch list

Shame.

edit-Id expect Inventory has gone through the roof as well

[harebridge] 23/12/2014 08:11

Down 30%Collapsing beyond belief.

[marksie2] 23/12/2014 08:00

Sold half my holding yesterday, was wondering if maybe it was the right thing but reading that statement it may well of been now. Hope it holds

[shanklin] 23/12/2014 07:12

We bought THT products last year but haven't this year as it tastes to us like its mainly sugar and very little chocolate. Still there's no excuse for compunding this by being unable to fill orders.

[sven2006] 23/12/2014 07:10

Decline in some others - tesco

[harebridge] 23/12/2014 07:10

A profit warning! Merry Xmas.

[funkmasterp12] 23/12/2014 07:05

Ouch. Not good at all.

[lauders] 19/12/2014 14:34

Yes CR, patience is the game with this one like so many. Will evaluate in the new year once some news on Xmas trading is out though. In profit and can always buy in again after the drop from any spike up. A divi would be nice as it might bring people in too, yet they are probably still closing some shops and that all has to settle first.

[cockneyrebel] 19/12/2014 12:01

Just got to wait for the trading update imo Lauders - gonna be news going fwd imo

Holding a few in my pension still

CR

[lauders] 19/12/2014 11:36

Wonder whether THT will ever make a decent move northwards? Getting rather stagnant here with the price around the highs of May. Come on THT start the Xmas rally please ;-)

[marksie2] 18/12/2014 17:54

I hope so, it's been a bit stale recently

[peterdonovan] 18/12/2014 16:08

Got a feeling its going to pop soooooooooooooon.

[jfacwc] 16/12/2014 16:44

You're right, they are due another step.guess if that's all it is, you can't really blame them, if it gives them the best prices...The power of the mighty.. rather than us mere mortals.

[temporarily insane] 16/12/2014 16:30

It will be Blackrock again manipulating the market.

Selling lots of little trades and buying back fewer larger amounts.

Wait for the next step on Blackrock reducing in the next few days.

[jfacwc] 16/12/2014 16:28

seem to have attracted those dodgy little trades again?

[lauders] 16/12/2014 16:01

2nd QTR Trading Update was announced on 16th January this year so another month or so to the next one where hopefully some good figures will be released. Starting an upward trend on the chart again but will it improve?

[maximillian1] 16/12/2014 13:42

Just thinking this Xmas being the bargain hunters xmas...will punters want to pay the Hotel Chocolate prices...or will Thorntons pick up a lot of tight wad business.


Strange last year all it new was rises..and this year a world of difference..lts hope for a nice surprise for the new year as well.

[maximillian1] 16/12/2014 13:42

Just thinking this Xmas being the bargain hunters xmas...will punters want to pay the Hotel Chocolate prices...or will Thorntons pick up a lot of tight wad business.


Strange last year all it new was rises..and this year a world of difference..lts hope for a nice surprise for the new year as well.

[lauders] 16/12/2014 01:33

A friend in the UK told me that business was good in their local THT so perhaps we might get a positive update in January to kick some life into the shares? Here is hoping as would be nice to see a climb back to former highs here. Any other feedback from the "field" now that those who used to report have vanished?

[maximillian1] 12/12/2014 13:17

Lets hope they trip up and fall down stairs fast ..then

[jfacwc] 11/12/2014 07:46

Blackrock reducing their position? Step by step..