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The firm recorded a 2.3 per cent year-on-year increase in the quarter to October 3rd, stating in a trading update that the figure had climbed to £46.8 million.
As a result, shares in the business were up 7.25p in afternoon stock market trading, climbing to 125.25p at 14:30 BST.
Performance was boosted by commercial sales to other retailers, which were 7.2 per cent higher at £15.7 million - despite the collapse of one of its biggest customers, Woolworths.
There was also a 2.4 per cent jump at its Thorntons Direct operation, but franchise sales declined 15.2 per cent over the 14 weeks when compared to the same period in 2008.
This, the company said, was largely due to the failure of Birthdays, as the greetings card chain stocked many of its products before it became a victim of the credit crunch.
