Lindt, the Swiss chocolate maker, faced a set of pressures in the first half of 2026 as higher prices weighed on demand around Easter. The company disclosed that a groupwide price increase of 11.8% contributed to slower revenue growth, with the impact most felt in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. Management attributed the weaker Easter demand to a combination of more price-sensitive consumers and a still-mature market environment in Europe, alongside a drop in tourism from Asia and the Middle East amid geopolitical uncertainties.
To respond, Lindt said it adjusted pricing and stepped up marketing efforts in selected regions for the second half of the year. The company noted a decline in overall sales by 0.9%, with European sales down 2.1% as price-sensitive and mature markets weighed on results. By volume, total chocolate sales fell 7.5%, and pre-tax profit declined by 1.5%.
Lindt also reported softer airport-specific sales, tied to reduced passenger traffic due to ongoing regional conflicts in the Middle East. In contrast, sales in North America, Australia, China, and Japan showed some resilience, but these markets still represent a smaller share of Lindt’s revenue relative to Europe, which continues to account for more than half of total sales.
Chief executive Adalbert Lechner underscored the company’s strategy, stating that the actions taken aim to restore volume in the second half of 2026 and lay the groundwork for returning to volume growth in 2027.
Industry observers note that Lindt is not alone in raising prices, as cocoa costs and farm-level pressures have been cited as factors behind higher chocolate prices. Some producers have opted to tighten chocolate content or package sizes instead of proceeding with larger price hikes. Official data referenced in the report indicate ongoing price increases in the chocolate and sweets sector.
