Lindt has reinstated former chief executive Dieter Weisskopf on an interim basis as the Swiss chocolate manufacturer seeks to reverse declining demand amid ongoing price increases. The company announced on Tuesday that Weisskopf, who stepped down in 2022, will immediately resume leadership while the board searches for a new permanent CEO.
The move comes after Lindt’s current CEO, Adalbert Lechner, was replaced amid concerns about the company’s ability to sustain growth. The board stated that new leadership was needed to restore “consistent, strong growth” following a challenging period marked by sluggish sales volumes and a significant decline in share price.
Lindt’s shares have dropped by more than 25 percent so far this year as the company grappled with the effects of substantial price hikes on consumer demand. Since 2022, Lindt has raised its prices by approximately 40 percent, the largest increase among major chocolate manufacturers, yet volume growth during the same timeframe has modestly improved by only 2 percent, according to Barclays data.
In its most recent trading update in September, the company lowered its full-year sales growth forecast from 4-6 percent to a range of 0-2 percent, largely attributing the slowdown to an extended European heatwave that dampened chocolate consumption. Scanner data from Western European supermarkets indicated a 10 percent drop in Lindt sales in the four weeks ending September 6.
The company has faced volatility in cocoa prices over recent years, with record highs impacting costs before prices later eased. Despite this, Lindt maintained price increases, reporting an 11.8 percent rise year on year during the first half of 2026.
In his return, Weisskopf emphasized his intention to revive the company’s European operations, which have underperformed, while continuing to build on strong sales momentum in North America and Asia. “We will invest significantly in our brands while improving our profitability,” he said, adding that his goal is to position the business for a smooth transition to a new CEO.
The company also disclosed the replacement of the head of its Germany and Austria division, where performance has been particularly weak. Lindt’s largest market, Germany, has seen a notable reduction in sales volumes following price hikes, prompting the company to begin cutting prices in response.
Ernst Tanner, Lindt’s chair, indicated that the board aims to appoint a permanent CEO by the second quarter of 2027. Analyst Warren Ackerman from Barclays noted that while Lindt has historically promoted leaders from within its ranks, the upcoming CEO search may bring an external candidate into the role.