Lindt UK sales grew doubt digits last year, despite challenges faced by HFSS restrictions, said the chocolate manufacturer.

In 2023, the Swiss chocolate owner saw its operating profit increase by 9.2% to £723m (₣813m), while total group global sales rose by 10.3% to £4.62bn (₣5.2bn) in the full year ending 31 December.

In the UK alone, sales grew 10% despite HFSS (foods high in fat, salt and sugar) restrictions, noted Lindt & Sprungli.

The company, whose portfolio includes Lindor balls and gold foil-wrapped Easter bunnies, also praised its innovation and new brand launches for drawing in new and younger consumers.

It pointed to its Choco Wafer product where, in the UK 44% of its shoppers were new to the Lindt brand.

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Lindt is not the only chocolatier to face challenges from current and upcoming HFSS restrictions.

In October 2022, there was a clampdown on promotional space for HFSS products as products deemed ‘unhealthy’ were removed from store entrances, gondola ends and checkouts.

While earlier this year, analysts at Mintel found that chocolate consumption in the UK had decreased since the rollout of HFSS regulations.