Thorntons is eyeing the convenience sector as a potential new channel for its chocolate products.

Thorntons' goods are already sold in super­markets and forecourts, but CEO Mike Davies said the company was looking at making them available at "selected, high-quality" independents.

"We have a list of opportunities to tackle and will look at which of these should take priority," Davies said.

Thorntons this week reported a 36.5% increase in full-year pre-tax profit to £7.1m on sales up 5.3% to £186m. It reversed a 3.5% fall in first-quarter like-for-like sales to record growth of 7.2% in the fourth quarter by revamping stores and products.

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