Retail

Lindt bets on 20 exclusive stores across India in 2.5 years

First 1,100 sq ft Delhi outlet stocks 500 SKUs as VTC Group rolls out 11 in north and west.

Meera Iyer, Retail correspondent·25 October 2026·4 min read

Glass display counters filled with foil-wrapped chocolate boxes under warm spotlights in an empty shop

Swiss chocolatier Lindt plans nearly 20 exclusive brand stores in India over the next two-and-a-half years, with distributor VTC Group opening 11 across north and west. The first store launched in Delhi last month at about 1,100 sq ft carrying over 500 products. ET Retail reported the expansion on 21 October 2026.

VTC, which has distributed Lindt for five years, will prioritise Delhi-NCR then Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. Lindor balls already run 17-18 flavours and will hit 25 by December ahead of Christmas. Two more Delhi sites plus Gurugram and Noida are under evaluation.

Mall till operators gain a premium gifting counter that lifts average ticket in festive weeks; the store format lets shoppers taste and bundle without relying solely on modern trade shelves. Kirana chocolate racks face sharper branded competition on impulse.

Lindt targets close to 20 stores in two-and-a-half years with 500-plus SKUs in the first Delhi unit.

This helps premium confectionery importers and squeezes mass cocoa players on shelf space in high-street and mall locations. It aids lifestyle retailers seeking traffic anchors in the same catchments.

Watch December flavour expansion and the first Chandigarh or Ahmedabad opening. Next festive cycle after Christmas will show repeat rates on the exclusive format.

Filed under Retail·Meera Iyer

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