What is Nestlé up to in the US?

Nestlé is “exploring strategic options for its US confectionery business, including a potential sale”.

The US is Nestlé’s largest market, responsible for AU$36 billion of turnover each year, but confectionery sales only account for 3% of this sum (AU$1.2 billion).

Nestlé is big in the US, employing more than 51,000 people in more than 120 locations, including 77 factories and 10 R&D centres. 97% of US households have at least one Nestlé product lurking on their shelves. Nestlé is fully committed to growing and investing in the US but is reviewing the confectionery portion of its portfolio.

The company’s popular local chocolate brands include Butterfinger, BabyRuth, 100Grand, SkinnyCow, Raisinets, Chunky, OhHenry! and SnoCaps, as well as local sugar brands such as SweeTarts, LaffyTaffy, Nerds, FunDip, PixyStix, Gobstopper, BottleCaps, Spree and Runts, as well as the international chocolate brand Crunch. The Toll House baking products will not be included in the strategic review.

The review will only cover the US market and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.