Lindt cuts chocolate prices and revises its growth forecasts for 2026 downwards
Lindt is tackling weak demand in Europe with price cuts and increased investment, aiming for volume growth in 2026 despite climate challenges and consumers’ price sensitivity
Lindt plans to reduce the prices of its chocolate products after revising its sales growth forecasts downwards for the second time this year, due to low consumer confidence.
The announcement
The Swiss company is cutting prices on its Christmas range and plans to reduce them across the board from January, as Chief Executive Adalbert Lechner stated on Tuesday during a press conference. Lindt had previously revised its organic sales growth forecasts for the full year 2026, bringing them into a range of between 0% and 2% (compared with the previous 4–6%), having already cut them back in March.
Share price falling
The share price fell by as much as 8 per cent in early trading in Zurich, marking its sharpest intraday decline since the revision of its forecasts in March. From the start of the year until Monday’s close, the shares had lost more than a quarter of their value due to doubts about a recovery in sales volumes.
Weak demand
The confectionery manufacturer is facing weak demand in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as well as growing price sensitivity among customers. A heatwave also hampered sales across the entire chocolate sector in Europe during the summer months.
Lindt (Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG) is forecasting ‘positive volume growth’ for next year, thanks to falling cocoa prices and increased investment in the brand, Mr Lechner said.
