Lindt & Sprüngli continues to thrive with above-average growth

Despite slowing and, in some cases, stagnating chocolate markets and record-high prices for raw materials, as well as an extremely strong Swiss franc, this result again confirms the success of the long-term strategy. The solid growth of the group comes from the European core markets, North America as well as from emerging markets, and translates into further market share gains. In North America, the company continues to grow double digits and reinforces an already strong leading position with the integration of last year’s acquisition, the chocolate company Russell Stover.

In the first half of 2015, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group and Russell Stover achieved consolidated sales of CHF 1.409 bn. This equates to an increase in Swiss francs of + 17.4% compared to the previous year. Excluding Russell Stover, the Group’s organic growth is above average, at 9.4%, reflecting significant gains in market share in all main strategic markets and segments. The negative currency effect on Group sales from the further strengthening of the Swiss franc amounts to - 7.5%. The above-average sales trend is primarily due to volume growth, but was further boosted by innovative new product launches, the seasonal business and a constantly optimized product mix.