Lindt & Sprüngli generates above-average organic growth of 7.3%

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG grew with consolidated sales of CHF 2.58 billion more rapidly over the past financial year 2010 than the chocolate market as a whole, gaining corresponding market shares across all main regions and segments. The Group generated impressive organic growth of 7.3% in local currencies. This led to market share gains in all of Lindt & Sprüngli’s key markets and has further strengthened the LINDT, GHIRARDELLI and CAFFAREL brands. However, the consolidated sales figure in Swiss francs of CHF 2.58 billion (previous year: CHF 2.52 billion) was impaired by negative currency effects involving the euro as well as the US dollar and pound sterling, resulting in an increase of 2.2% as against the previous year. The fact that practically all Group companies succeeded in outperforming their respective market is particularly gratifying. Double-digit growth was generated in Lindt & Sprüngli’s most important sales market of North America (USA and Canada). The same was true of the UK. Also in countries such as Italy and Germany Lindt & Sprüngli again recorded substantial growth rates. And even in the highly saturated Swiss home market, it was possible to further expand Lindt & Sprüngli’s already considerable market share. Thanks to a focused purchasing policy, consistent improvements in efficiency and excellent cost management and in spite of the enormous increase in the price of cocoa beans in the first three quarters of 2010 and the negative impact of currency effects on consolidated profit in Swiss franc terms, Lindt & Sprüngli will be in a position to post an operating profit (EBIT) within the range published for 2010 of CHF 300 to 340 million.

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