Overall sales at the chocolate maker and retailer slipped 2.7 per cent to £27.9m in the 10 weeks running up to 27 June.
The internet and call centre arm of the business was particularly badly affected, taking a 30.8 per cent drop in revenue to £800,000. Thorntons blamed the continued weakness of corporate sales.
Franchise sales were also down significantly falling 25.3 per cent to £1.4 million. They were adversely affected by the bankruptcy of Birthdays Ltd, which operated 94 franchises.
Thorntons has approached other franchisees to make up for the lost business. Mike Davies, Thorntons’ CEO said: “Discussions are progressing well, with both Clinton Cards and other potential franchisees, to replace lost sales in the locations where Birthdays stores have closed.”