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Ritter Sport to Cut About 70 Headquarters Jobs in First Layoffs in 110 Years

Soaring input costs plus weak demand left the 2025 result in the red.

Overview

  • The family-owned chocolatier confirmed it will eliminate about 70 administrative roles at its Waldenbuch, Germany headquarters, marking its first layoffs.
  • The cuts focus on office staff and represent roughly one in ten administration jobs at the site, which employs about 1,000 people across functions.
  • Ritter Sport said it agreed a social plan and will use a transfer company to support affected staff, though it cannot rule out some dismissals.
  • Despite revenue rising 17.7% to about €712 million in 2025, the company posted a loss after sharp increases in cocoa, energy, and packaging costs outpaced price hikes.
  • The company also cited softer consumer demand and limits on passing costs to retailers, even as chocolate has become far pricier since 2020 and cocoa prices only recently eased after a better harvest.