This Premium Chocolate Brand Reveals How It’s Surviving the GLP-1 Craze

It revealed an unexpected trend among users of the weight-loss drugs.

BY AVA LEVINSON, NEWS WRITER

(Photo via Getty Images)

GLP-1 users are buying chocolate at a higher rate than the rest of the U.S., according to Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli. The chocolate maker released data that shows the surge in weight-loss drugs hasn’t drastically hurt candy demand. 

Fifteen percent of U.S. households use GLP-1s, like Ozempic and Wegovy, which reflects 17.5 percent of chocolate sales, according to the company’s internal study with February data from Circana. 

While skipping out on high-calorie foods like pasta and potato chips, people taking these drugs still crave a sort of indulgence, said CEO Adalbert Lechner during a Tuesday news conference, according to Reuters.

“They are upgrading to premium products,” Lechner said. “Less is more—small rewards with moments of bliss rather than mindless munching.” 

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U.S. sales of premium chocolate jumped by almost 17 percent for GLP-1 users last year, compared with the 6.5 percent increase for non users, according to Lindt. 

Other Companies Are Less Optimistic

Lindt’s findings are contrary to analysts expectations, which were that the confectionary industry would take a hit because of weight-loss drugs. They predicted a drop in Lindt sales volumes of 0.9 percentage point in 2027. 

That’s similar to comments by Jeff Harmening, General Mills CEO, who last month said GLP-1 drugs were driving some consumers “toward more nutrient-dense protein- and fiber-forward foods,” according to Food Dive. 

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