Switzerland: Lindt & Sprungli reports growth in 2016

Lindt & Sprungli, the Swiss chocolatier and confectionery company, has announced a global sales rise of6.8% to CHF 3,901 billion ($3,850.9 billion) over the 2016 financial year, where operating profit also rose by 8.4% to CHF 562.5 million ($555 million).

According to a company press release, the firm achieved overall organic sales growth of 7.4% in Europe, where the firm's Germany and the UK subsidiaries reporteddouble-digit sale growth. In the NAFTA region, sales growth was in single figures, with Lindt & Sprungli reporting that the chocolate market as a whole had declined "for the first time in years".  Japan and Brazil also saw double-digit sale growth, largely due to the opening of branded shops and cafes, the firm added

For 2017, Lindt & Sprungli said it expected sales growth to be similar to 2016, with an improved operating margin. The firm added that its mid to long-term goal was organic sales growth of 6-8%, with an operating profit margin of 20-40 basis points.

Source: Lindt & Sprungli