Online Christmas shopping from people with a sweet tooth saw UK confectionary retailer Thorntons enjoy a 0.6 per cent increase in sales over the 14 weeks up to January 7th 2012.

Total sales increased to £83.7 million as online commerce played a major part in the company's business model, with ecommerce division Thorntons Direct recording an 8.1 per cent increase in sales.

This brought the amount spent online by customers up to £5.5 million.

Jonathan Hart, Thorntons' chief executive, said the company had performed well under challenging trading conditions.

"Our online business performed well over the period," he added.

Mr Hart cited a lack of consumer confidence and a general malaise in the retail market as factors in the disappointing levels of growth, but assured investors the company would restore profitability in the coming months.

Home Retail Group, the parent company behind Argos and Homebase, noted recently that online sales had accounted for 40 per cent of its business over the Christmas trading period.

Author:  Gillian Walters