Lindt & Sprüngli is considering selective price reductions and additional promotions after higher chocolate prices contributed to a sharp drop in sales volumes. The Swiss chocolate maker said it would adjust prices in some markets during the second half of 2026 to encourage customers to buy more.
Lindt raised prices by an average of 11.8% during the first six months of the year to offset higher ingredient and production costs. Although organic sales increased 4.3%, reported revenue fell 0.9% to CHF 2.33 billion because of weaker currencies.
European Sales Fall After Weaker Easter Demand
Sales volumes and product mix declined 7.5% across the group as customers reacted to higher prices. Europe was particularly weak, with organic sales falling 2.1% following slower Easter trading in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Lindt is known for seasonal products such as its gold foil-wrapped chocolate rabbits. The company said the Easter period was affected by cautious consumer spending in established European markets.
Reduced tourism from Asia and the Middle East also affected stores in cities and airports. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty lowered passenger traffic and weakened demand at travel retail locations.
North America, Australia, China and Japan produced stronger results. However, Europe remains Lindt’s largest region and accounts for more than half of group revenue.
Company Plans Targeted Pricing Measures
Lindt said it would not reverse price increases across its entire range. Instead, it plans to use targeted price adjustments, promotions and different product sizes in countries where volumes have fallen most heavily.
A company spokesperson told Reuters that the measures could include selective price decreases, although Lindt did not identify the affected markets. The company expects European sales to improve during the second half of the year.
Chief Executive Adalbert Lechner said the measures were intended to support a recovery in sales volumes during the remainder of 2026. Lindt expects the actions to help restore volume growth in 2027.
Cocoa Costs Continue to Affect Chocolate Prices
Chocolate manufacturers have raised prices after poor harvests and difficult weather conditions reduced cocoa supplies. Some companies have also responded by reducing product sizes or changing recipes.
Lindt increased prices by 19% during 2025 after cocoa and other input costs rose substantially. Its organic sales grew 12.4% that year, but the higher prices also reduced the amount of chocolate customers purchased.
The company maintained its 2026 forecast for organic sales growth of between 4% and 6%. It also expects operating profit margins to improve slightly despite weaker volumes during the first half.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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