Lindt has partially reversed its decision to hike prices after Easter chocolate sales plummeted, as the Swiss chocolatier blamed a “necessary groupwide” price surge of 11.8% for shrinking revenue in the first half of the year. The dip was particularly acute in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.
The company also pointed to weaker Easter demand and a drop in tourism from Asia and the Middle East “due to geopolitical uncertainties”. Around Easter, Lindt is known for its gold-foil-wrapped chocolate rabbits with red ribbons and bells. Overall sales dipped 0.9%, while European sales — which account for more than half its revenue — fell 2.1%.
“Lindt partially reverses 11.8% price rise after Easter chocolate sales drop 7.5% by volume.”
By volume, meaning the amount of chocolate sold rather than the money made, overall sales sank 7.5%. Pre-tax profit fell 1.5%. Sales at airports decreased because of “ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and therefore declining passenger traffic”.
In response, Lindt said it has adjusted prices and boosted marketing in certain regions for the second half of the year. Chief executive Adalbert Lechner said: “The actions we have initiated focus on volume recovery in the second half of 2026 and lay the foundation to regain volume growth momentum in 2027.”
Lindt is not alone in raising prices. Experts say climate change has led to extreme rainfall and droughts, decreasing cocoa farmers’ crops and pushing up costs. Some firms have reduced chocolate content or sizes instead of raising prices. According to the latest official data, the annual rate of chocolate and sweet price rises is 7.9% — much higher than the general rate of UK inflation at 2.8%.
While Lindt saw sales pick up in North America, Australia, China and Japan, these markets remain much smaller than Europe. The company’s focus now is on regaining volume growth, but with chocolate inflation still running far above headline inflation, the path to recovery may be slow.