Lindt & Spruengli scraps 2020 targets as epidemic hits business

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG

31/03/2020 06:19

ZURICH, March 31 (Reuters) - Swiss chocolate maker Lindt &
Spruengli  LISN.S  said its goal to grow organic sales by 5-7%
this year was no longer valid as the coronavirus epidemic hit
sales.
    After a strong start to the year, the spreading virus
started hitting sales at the beginning of March, particularly in
travel retail, the group's own store network, food service and
the grocery trade in certain markets, the maker of gold
foil-wrapped Easter bunnies said in a statement on Tuesday.
    It confirmed its mid- to long-term growth targets and its
dividend, including the special dividend proposed for the group
anniversary.

 (Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz
Editing by Michelle Martin)
 ((silke.koltrowitz@thomsonreuters.com; +41 58 306 7454; Reuters
Messaging: silke.koltrowitz.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))