Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli experienced a boom year in 2013 – when the group’s turnover increased by 8% to CHF2.883 billion ($3.197 billion).
According to a media statement released on Tuesday, the above-average growth was based mainly on higher volumes, innovation and an improved product mix. It said some challenges last year included rising prices for raw materials, pricing competition and the flagging economies of south European countries.
In local currencies, the organic growth of the company amounted to 8.6% – exceeding the long-term strategic growth target of 6-8%. Slightly weaker parities of various currencies were not quite offset by the somewhat higher exchange rate of the euro. Still, it experienced growth in all major countries.
Lindt & Sprüngli stepped up its market shares in the chocolate bar and pralinés segment, thanks to good sales growth in the domestic market. In terms of exports, the company achieved double-digit growth rates.
In largely saturated European markets such as Germany and France, Lindt & Sprüngli again reported sales growth well above the market average. Growth in Britain reached double-digit rates. In Italy, sales were slightly higher and market shares could be gained despite the declining overall chocolate market.
Business in North America – the world’s biggest chocolate market – remained on a successful track with the Lindt and Ghirardelli brands and reported double-digit growth once again. The recently incorporated subsidiaries in the developing markets Japan, China and South Africa also showed a positive performance.