Interim report, 1 September – 31 December 2011: Lower sales in the four-month period
Cloetta’s net sales for the first four months amounted to SEK 364 million (413). Operating profit for the period was SEK 20 million (33). Profit after tax was SEK 14 million (24).
“However, sales in the chocolate bags segment increased during the four-month period,” says Cloetta’s CEO Curt Petri. “The overall drop in sales during the period is partly due to weaker development in the service trade. Furthermore, the previous year’s sales included sell-in volumes of the then newly launched Tarragona bars. In addition, this year we have chosen to lessen our focus on filled chocolate boxes. Earnings were also affected by increased marketing investments, above all in Norway,” adds Curt Petri.
“In the first quarter of 2012 we will make several new launches under the Kexchoklad, Sportlunch and Pops brands,” says Cloetta’s CEO Curt Petri. “Earlier in 2011 we launched new products in the chocolate bags and seasonal products segments under the Polly and Juleskum brands. This means that we now have new products, new packaging sizes and new designs in the three segments where we are market-leaders,” concludes Curt Petri.
For further information contact
Curt Petri, CEO, mobile 46 70-593 21 69
Kent Sandin, CFO, mobile 46 70-582 77 95
The information in this press release is subject to the disclosure requirements of Cloetta AB (publ) under the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication on 10 February 2012, 04:30 p.m. CET.
About Cloetta
Founded in 1862, Cloetta is the oldest confectionery company in the Nordic region. In 2012 Cloetta will thus celebrate its 150th anniversary. The Cloetta brand stands for responsibility and quality, but is also strongly associated with happiness, enjoyment and energy. The company’s key brands are Kexchoklad, Center, Plopp, Polly, Tarragona, Guldnougat, Bridge, Juleskum, Sportlunch and Extra Starka. Cloetta has two production units in Sweden, one in Ljungsbro and one in Alingsås.
www.cloetta.com
Merger between Cloetta and LEAF
On 16 December 2011 Cloetta announced a proposal for a merger between Cloetta and LEAF. The proposal will be resolved on by an extraordinary general meeting on 15 February 2012. For additional information, go to www.cloetta.com
In connection with the press release issued on 16 December 2011 regarding the merger between Cloetta and LEAF, pro forma figures for both companies at 31 August 2011 were included. Now that Cloetta has published its interim report for the period from 1 September to 31 December 2011, the pro forma figures at 31 December 2011 have been updated. See appendix to this press release.