Mr. Bilbrey’s comments came in advance of the company’s investor conference in New York.
“Our marketplace and financial results over the last few years validate our consumer-driven approach to core brand investment in both U.S. and key international markets,” Mr. Bilbrey said. “We’ll continue to invest in tools and capabilities that will drive core brand growth. We’re excited about the insights we’ll obtain from the additional work currently under way on Hershey’s confectionery demand landscape that is focused on the individual segments of chocolate, non-chocolate candy and refreshment in the U.S. and key international markets. Our Insights Driven Performance initiative has been embraced by retailers who value the solutions-based methods that drive mutual growth for the confectionery category and Hershey. We are creating a knowledge-based company built on intellectual capital and consumer and shopper insights. This collaborative approach has unique features within the confectionery space and differentiates Hershey from its peers.”
The company said it is affirming its outlook for full-year 2012 net sales growth of about 7% to 9% and full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share growth of 10% to 12%. The company expected reported diluted e.p.s. for 2012 to be between $2.82 to $2.92 per share and an adjusted diluted e.p.s. between $3.11 and $3.17 per share.
