Sales collapsed: Lindt has to reduce price increases

Lindt has in recent years Price increases can usually be implemented without significant sales losses. The much more cautious reaction of consumers in individual European core markets was all the more surprising this time. In response, Lindt announced targeted Price corrections in the markets where the decline was particularly large. The adjustments should be limited to individual products for which demand reacted particularly strongly to the higher prices.

Smaller packs should boost sales figures again

Also on the Packaging sizes is being screwed: In the future, smaller packs will be offered in order to reduce the purchase price for consumers without fundamentally changing the price per kilo. That’s how it should be Lindor-Products will also be available in 100 or 137 gram packs and also in a 337 gram version instead of just 500 grams. This makes the starting price more attractive for customers.

In addition, the company is relying on closer cooperation with retailers and increased marketing activities. “The measures we have launched are aimed at stabilizing volumes in the second half of 2026 and laying the foundation for accelerated volume growth in 2027,” announces the CEO Adalbert Lechner to. A spokeswoman tells KURIER that they are confident that they will achieve their own annual goals and do not expect any long-term negative effects.

The group increased prices across the group by 11.8 percent in the first half of the year in order to compensate for the sharp rise in cocoa costs. At the same time, sales volumes fell by 7.5 percent. In Austria, the price increases in the first half of the year affected the Easter range.

The price increases led to a hefty increase in sales

Thanks to the price increases, Lindt & Sprüngli’s sales rose organically by 4.3 percent to 2.33 billion Swiss francs (2.48 billion euros). The Operating result (EBIT) improved slightly to 260.2 million francs. The EBIT margin rose to 11.2 from 11.0 percent in the same period last year.

A 100 gram bar of the series currently costs „Lindt Excellence“ at Spar online 4.49 euros. In the Billa-Webshop it is 4.79 euros. Many competitors’ products are priced significantly lower. At Spar you don’t feel any reluctance to buy because of the price, says a company spokeswoman Nicole Berkmann the COURIER. However, customers would increasingly turn to cheaper products – such as own brands.