The company is hoping to tap further into the rapidly expanding market for luxury dark chocolate items with a product that offers something different from ordinary chocolate bars. Dark chocolate has frequently been touted as a 'healthy' indulgence thanks to its high levels of polyphenols and flavanols which work to protect the body from cell damage. Sales of the product have risen as a result of its new health-conscious image and market analysts Leatherhead International say they now make up 19 per cent of global chocolate sales. Lindt's Creation 70 per cent comprises a creamy mousse centre encased in a chocolate bar-shape shell. The dark chocolate bar is available in orange, cherry chilli and chocolate mousse flavours. Lindt USA president Thomas Linemayr said: "The launch of Creation 70 per cent is a reflection of Lindt's commitment to chocolate innovation and reinforces our leadership position in the premium chocolate category. We are thrilled to be the first premium chocolatier to offer dark chocolate, mousse-filled bars to consumers." In March, Lindt & Sprungli posted full year sales of CHF2.586 billion (€1.6bn) and net income of CHF209 million (€129.6m) - a 21 per cent increase from the previous year.
