HERSHEY CO

The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of our three reportable segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks and International. For segment reporting purposes, we use “segment income” to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Segment income excludes unallocated general corporate administrative expenses, unallocated mark-to-market gains and losses on commodity derivatives, business realignment and impairment charges, acquisition-related costs and other unusual gains or losses that are not part of our measurement of segment performance. These items of our operating income are largely managed centrally at the corporate level and are excluded from the measure of segment income reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and used for resource allocation and internal management reporting and performance evaluation. Segment income and segment income margin, which are presented in the segment discussion that follows, are non-GAAP measures and do not purport to be alternatives to operating income as a measure of operating performance. We believe that these measures are useful to investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating ongoing operating profitability as well as in evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors, as they exclude the activities that are not directly attributable to our ongoing segment operations.

Our segment results, including a reconciliation to our consolidated results, were as follows:

(1)Includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (d) acquisition and integration-related costs and (e) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

(2)Net losses (gains) on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions recognized in unallocated derivative losses (gains). See Note 13 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

North America Confectionery

The North America Confectionery segment is responsible for our chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes developing and growing our business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, gum and refreshment products, protein bars, spreads, snack bites and mixes, as well as pantry and food service lines. While a less significant component, this segment also includes our retail operations, including Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Singapore, as well as operations associated with licensing the use of certain trademarks and products to third parties around the world. North America Confectionery results, which accounted for 76.2% and 80.0% of our net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023, respectively, were as follows:

Net sales of our North America Confectionery segment were $1,579.8 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $1,993.1 million in the same period of 2023, a decrease of $413.3 million, or 20.7%. The decrease was driven by volume declines of approximately 22%, primarily driven by a decrease in everyday core U.S. confection as a result of accelerated shipments in the first quarter of 2024 in anticipation of our ERP system implementation, which was completed in the beginning of the second quarter of 2024. The decrease was partially offset by favorable price realization of approximately 1%, primarily due to list price increases on certain products across our portfolio.

Our North America Confectionery segment also includes licensing and owned retail. This includes our Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in the United States (3 locations), Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Singapore. Our net sales for licensing and owned retail increased approximately 0.6% during the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023.

Our North America Confectionery segment income was $464.5 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $657.1 million in the same period of 2023, a decrease of $192.6 million, or 29.3%. The decrease was primarily due to lower volume, in line with the net sales decline as noted above, higher commodity costs, and unfavorable product mix. The decrease was partially offset by favorable price realization, lower advertising and related consumer marketing costs and lower supply chain costs.

Net sales of our North America Confectionery segment were $4,287.1 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to $4,445.2 million in the same period of 2023, a decrease $158.1 million, or 3.6%. The decrease was driven by volume declines of approximately 7%, primarily driven by a decrease in everyday core U.S. confection brands. The decrease was partially offset by favorable price realization of approximately 4%, due to list price increases on certain products across our portfolio.

Our North America Confectionery segment also includes licensing and owned retail. This includes our Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in the United States (3 locations), Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Singapore. Our net sales for licensing and owned retail increased approximately 5.2% during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023.

Our North America Confectionery segment income was $1,412.7 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to $1,544.9 million the same period of 2023, a decrease $132.2 million or 8.6%. The decrease was primarily due to lower volume, higher commodity costs, higher supply chain costs and unfavorable product mix. The decrease was partially offset by favorable price realization and lower advertising and related consumer marketing costs.

North America Salty Snacks

The North America Salty Snacks segment is responsible for our grocery and snacks market positions, including our salty snacking products. North America Salty Snacks results, which accounted for 14.0% and 10.9% of our net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023, respectively, were as follows:

Net sales of our North America Salty Snacks segment were $289.9 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $272.4 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $17.5 million, or 6.4%. The increase reflects volume growth of approximately 9%, primarily related to Dot’s Homestyle Pretzelsand Pirate’s Booty snacks. The increase was partially offset by an unfavorable price realization of approximately 3%, due to increased levels of trade promotional spending.

Our North America Salty Snacks segment income was $52.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $43.8 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $8.4 million, or 19.2%. The increase was primarily due to volume increases on certain products and favorable commodity costs. The increase was partially offset by higher advertising and related consumer marketing costs, and unfavorable price realization.

Net sales of our North America Salty Snacks segment were $565.0 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to $542.4 million the same period of 2023, an increase $22.6 million, or 4.2%. The increase reflects volume growth of approximately 5%, primarily related to Dot’s Homestyle Pretzelsand Pirate’s Booty snacks, partially offset by volume declines in SkinnyPop snacks. The increase was partially offset by an unfavorable price realization of 1%, due to increased levels of trade promotional spending.

Our North America Salty Snacks segment income was $90.9 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to $90.5 million the same period of 2023, an increase $0.4 million, or 0.4%. The increase was primarily due to volume growth and favorable commodity costs. The increase was partially offset by higher supply chain costs, unfavorable price realization, and higher advertising and related consumer marketing costs.

International

The International segment includes all other countries where we currently manufacture, import, market, sell or distribute chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and other products. We currently have operations and manufacture product in Mexico, Brazil, India and Malaysia, primarily for consumers in these regions, and also distribute and sell confectionery products in export markets of Latin America, as well as Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa (“AMEA”) and other regions. International results, which accounted for 9.9% and 9.0% of our net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023, respectively, were as follows:

Net sales of our International segment were $204.8 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $224.8 million in the same period of 2023, a decrease $20.0 million, or 8.9%. The decrease was due to volume declines of approximately 16% across the segment, partially offset by growth in India and Europe. The decrease was partially offset by favorable price realization of approximately 5% across the segment, and a favorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of approximately 2%, primarily driven by Mexico.

Our International segment generated income of $25.0 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $41.1 million in the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of $16.1 million, or 39.2%, driven primarily by volume declines and higher commodity costs, partially offset by favorable price realization.

Net sales of our International segment were $475.1 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to $490.3 million the same period of 2023, a decrease $15.2 million, or 3.1%. The decrease was due to volume declines of approximately 10% across the segment, partially offset by growth in Europe. The decrease was partially offset by favorable price realization of approximately 4% across the segment, and a favorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of approximately 2%, primarily driven by Mexico.

Our International segment generated income of $67.8 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to $96.2 million in the first six months of 2023, a decrease of $28.4 million, or 29.5%, driven primarily by volume declines, increased commodity costs and unfavorable mix, partially offset by favorable price realization and lower supply chain costs.

Unallocated Corporate Expense

Unallocated corporate expense includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (d) acquisition and integration-related costs and (e) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

In the second quarter of 2024, unallocated corporate expense totaled $161.5 million, as compared to $186.6 million in the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of $25.1 million, or 13.5%. The decrease was primarily driven by lower acquisition and integration related costs and lower compensation costs, partially offset by higher investments in capabilities and technology.

In the first six months of 2024, unallocated corporate expense totaled $334.4 million, as compared to $363.7 million in the first six months of 2023, a decrease of $29.3 million, or 8.1%. The decrease was primarily driven by lower acquisition and integration related costs, partially offset by incremental investments in capabilities and technology.