Staying Above the Pack: Lindt Chocolates

Lindt chocolates appear to be ahead of the chocolate pack, avoiding the cocoa price rise that has made many other chocolate makers have to raise their prices. With their North American expansion and their focus on the premium segment of the population, they have managed to boost their sales in 2014.

Their full-year sales are up 10%, far ahead of other chocolate makers in the market. As Chief Executive and Chairman Ernst Tanner told Reuters in a telephone interview on Tuesday, “I’m confident sales will continue to grow 6 to 8 percent in the future. Russell Stover should also be able to generate similar growth rates, but we first have to fully integrate them.”

Lindt paid approximately $1.3-$1.5 billion for their Russell Stover take over last year and were able to secure a third place standing in the US. Lindt’s operating margin should rise by 20-40 basis points in 2014.