The Hershey Company records upturn in annual confectionery sales
US-based confectionery business, The Hershey Company, has projected positive growth for 2019, with net sales of $7,8 billion for 2018, marking a 3.7% over the previous year’s performance.
The company’s well-established range of confectionery includes its core chocolate bar series, and other brands including the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, as well as producing a range of brownies and cookies.
In recent years, the business has developed an extended range of smaller portion products with 200 calories or less in response to heightened consumer demand for healthier snack options.
The business has also made strides with its sustainability measures for cocoa supply in key African sourcing markets. Hershey recently announced from Kakum National Park in Southern Ghana, a package of environmental initiatives and commitments, including establishing a new comprehensive environmental policy, signing the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and joining the Science Based Targets initiative.
In addition, the firm is also launching the Kakum Cocoa Agroforestry Landscape Programme, focused on improving the well-being of cocoa farmers and their families and strengthening the region’s socio-economic and ecological resilience to climate change.
Commenting on the company’s performance, Michele Buck, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer, believed the latest results were encouraging sign moving forward into 2019.
She said: “The strategic investments we are making in our core confection business have resulted in improved retail trends and margins.Our recently acquired snacking brands continue to generate strong growth and delivered against our financial objectives. And our International business generated a record year of profitability.We are excited to build on this momentum in 2019.”
