Easter cheer for Lindt & Sprungli with new lines and improved annual results
pic: Lindt
With Lindt & Sprungli releasing its latest results that have shown organic growth of 7.8% to CHF 5.47 billion, the business has also released its latest salted caramel classic Easter egg bunny, writes Neill Barston.
As the business noted, it has continued tight cost control, efficiency gains, process optimisation across its operations, as manufacturers face a number of supply chain issues. According to the company, its product price increases offset higher cocoa costs contributed to the increased profitability.
This resulted in a net income of CHF 672.3 million (previous year: CHF 671.4 million). Notably, Europe achieved strong results with CHF 2.59 billion (previous year: CHF 2.41 billion), growing organically by 9.5%, with the company gaining double-digit growth in many locations. The company’s latest series also includes a gold bunny flower design range, whole hazelnut gourmet eggs and a selection of special seasonal eggs.
According to the company, its European operations achieved excellent results with CHF 2.59 billion (previous year: CHF 2.41 billion), growing organically by 9.5%. Lindt & Sprüngli achieved double-digit growth in many European markets, with notable results in the UK, Central Eastern Europe, France, and Benelux. Other core markets, such as Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, contributed to the results with solid mid-single-digit growth.
Moreover, as the Swiss-based business noted, its results in North America gained momentum in the second half of 2024, despite what it described as a ‘weak chocolate market with a declining volume and flat value’. It delivered increased sales to CHF 2.15 billion (previous year: CHF 2.11 billion), an organic growth of 5.0%. Performance in North America was influenced by a shift of Easter orders into 2023, reflecting the earlier Easter date in 2024 and de-stocking by major retail customers in the first half of 2024.
Excluding these one-off effects, the organic growth rate would have been 6.0%. In the USA and Canada, Lindt & Sprüngli posted solid single-digit growth and gained further market shares. Ghirardelli also showed a strong performance, growing high single digits and gaining market share as well. Russell Stover faced a slight decline in sales in a challenging market.
For the rest of the world, organic sales stood up at 10% to CHF 0.72 billion (previous year: CHF 0.68 billion), with excellent development at double-digit growth rates in core markets like Brazil, Japan, and China. Business in Australia fell slightly short of expectations due to reduced promotional activities.
Latest line
As for the company’s new Lindt gold bunny flowers design Easter egg (310g) is filled with one Lindt gold bunny flower design (100g), 5 mini–Lindt gold bunny flowers (10g), and a milk chocolate egg. The Lindt gold bunny Easter egg collection has had a makeover this Easter, with a new and eye-catching gold design and vibrant red bow. Available in a range of sizes: 115g (RRP £7.00), 195g (RRP £10), 250g (RRP £13.00), 310g (£20.00) with 360g exclusive to Tesco (RRP £20.00).
Adalbert Lechner, Group CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli, commented: “The results we achieved in a challenging market environment demonstrate the dedication of our team – something we can be proud of.” Following the successful launch of the Lindt gold bunny milk chocolate bar last year, Lindt has extended the range to include the much-loved flavour of salted caramel. This new bar uses the original gold bunny chocolate with salted caramel pieces. The Lindt gold bunny has a new flower foil design and is now also available in 100g format. Appealing to all generations and Spring occasions, and a fantastic seasonal decoration for customer’s Easter tables.
