As part of our efforts to keep you, the ESM reader, notified on the latest coronavirus-related developments in the retail and consumer goods sectors, here are the latest news updates from Switzerland. Click the link in each snippet to view the full story. To return to the map, click here.
Nestlé has cut its full-year underlying sales growth forecast to 2%-3% , saying demand has slowed as customers worked their way through cupboards they stocked up with food at the start of coronavirus related-lockdowns.
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli said it expected its organic sales to fall around 5-7% this year before bouncing back next year after coronavirus-related store closures hit sales and profit in the first half of 2020.
South Africa's Spar Group has said that both its domestic and Europe-based operations have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, saying that it expects the remainder of the year to be 'extremely challenging' in all retail markets.
Soft drinks bottler Coca Cola HBC AG said sales in April fell by more than a third as fast-food chains, theatres and other public arenas stayed shut to limit the spread of the new coronavirus during stay-at-home orders.
Nestlé reported a 4.3% rise in organic sales growth for the first quarter, as consumers filled cupboards with Purina pet food and Nescafé coffee to prepare for lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut tapped a €1 billion ($1.09 billion) revolving credit facility to shore up liquidity after the coronavirus epidemic hit sales in early 2020, the Swiss company said, signaling the worst impact may yet come.
Swiss consumer sentiment in April collapsed to a historic low, the government has said, with participants in the latest study expecting a severe recession caused by the coronavirus epidemic that has stifled the world economy.
Aldi Suisse has introduced a digital customer counting system at the entrance to its branches, to maintain social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.
Coop Switzerland has announced plans to offer free home delivery service for customers above the age of 65.
Nestlé has acquired the London-based premium dog and cat food brand Lily's Kitchen as it bulks up in pet food, its fastest-growing product category.
Spar Switzerland has launched a free home delivery service for vulnerable customers in light of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
Lindt & Sprüngli has said its original goal to grow organic sales by 5% to 7% this year was no longer valid as the coronavirus epidemic hit its business.
Nestlé, the world's biggest food company, said it would pay full salaries to employees affected by work stoppages for a minimum of three months, to protect them from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bakery giant Aryzta has announced that COVID-19 will have a material impact on group performance in its financial year 2020.
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