Lindt & Sprüngli, the Swiss premium chocolate giant, has continued to outpace the overall markets in which it operates in the past year.
The group reported SF3.4bn (£2.3bn) in sales – an increase of 17.4% on 2013. Operating profit (EBIT), excluding the takeover of Russell Stover, which it bought last summer, came in at SF474.3m.
The group said the good results were achieved despite largely subdued consumer sentiment, high commodity prices, and a challenging currency situation.
The above-average growth of the group once again clearly exceeded that of the chocolate markets and was driven by higher volumes and innovations, further progress in the seasonal sector, and strong development of the company’s own global network of retail outlets, the company said in its financial statement.
The UK operations enjoyed a 14.7% uplift in sales. Ernst Tanner, chairman and chief executive, said: “Both Lindor and Excellence reported strong growth rates attributable in part to the launch of country-specific recipes such as Lindor Strawberries & Cream in spring, contributing to still higher sales on Valentine’s and Mothers’ Day.”
Substantial market share gains were made in all the core markets and in the emerging growth markets.
Tanner said it had been exceptionally eventful year that not only saw good results but had also set some important milestones in Lindt & Sprüngli’s history.
Tanner said that with the acquisition of Russell Stover, the group had become one of the top three chocolate manufacturers in the biggest chocolate market worldwide and the “absolute leader” for premium and seasonal products.
The integration of Russell Stover into the group of companies would take the “utmost priority” in 2015, Tanner added.
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