Lindt & Sprüngli records half-year results upturn, in spite of continuing market pressures

The Lindt & Sprüngli Group has reported encouraging sales performance for the first half of 2025, with revenues up 11.2% to CHF 2.35 billion for the period, despite ongoing supply chain tests, writes Neill Barston.

According to the company, its improved position underlined its resilience in a market that has seen cocoa prices rise to $12,000 a tonne earlier this year, as well as warnings over crop deficits and challenging logistics conditions in many key locations around the world.

This was reflected by net income for the business being down 13% year-on-year, to CHF 188 million, though it stated that tight cost controls, efficiency gains and optimisation measures assisted the business. This also included passing on price increases to retailers, which it said had offset the rapid rise in cocoa costs. 

As Confectionery Production recently reported, chocolate sales have been down in the US during the past year, particularly in relation to premium brands – but Lindt even outpaced this trend. Notably, its latest figures reported 3.6% organic growth, which was less than other territories that it acknowledged was down to weaker consumer demand.

However, it stated that all of its subsidiaries in North America continued to grow with the exception of Russell Stover, which faced a higher price elasticity than the other North American Lindt & Sprüngli companies. 

Significantly, the company said that in Europe, it achieved strong organic sales growth of  17.7%, with its operations within the region attaining double-digit improvements in results. Moreover, it stated that there were sales boosts of 20% in  the Nordics, Benelux, Central Eastern Europe, France, as well as in Austria

Furthermore, its latest results showed that its performance in the rest of the world grew by 7.8%, recording double-digit growth in Japan, Brazil, South Africa and China.

Among its significant developments has been the support shown for its 590 stores around the globe, including a new flagship store in Piccadilly Circus, which opened to significant fanfare in being opened by its ambassador, former tennis champion, Roger Federer.

Continued growth
As the business acknowledged,  new products remained a key growth driver, with the successful launch of the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate targeting new and younger consumer groups, and driving brand awareness. The Group continues to expand its geographical footprint in high-potential markets such as Saudi Arabia, Chile, and India.

Significantly, the business was named as the world’s most valuable chocolate brand this year in a Kantar study, operating in 54 markets, as it also scored eighth place in the overall global food and beverages category. 

Adalbert Lechner, Group CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli commented on the latest results, noting that its expanded portfolio had played its part.

He remarked: I’m proud of what our teams achieved in the first half of the year. We have shown resilience in a challenging market environment. Innovations like our Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate aren’t just new products, they’re a reflection of how we connect with our consumers and reinforce our premium positioning.”