What you need to know

The ice cream category has grown sales through improving its all-year-round appeal, both through indulgent NPD (New Product Development) and meal deals. However, the boost provided by the 2018 scorching summer shows that the fortunes of the category remain heavily impacted by the weather. Value growth has been lifted by the rising inflation since 2016 and consumers opting for premium products. The market is thus estimated at £1.4 billion in 2018, up 26% from 2013.

Despite the ongoing war on sugar, ice cream volume sales have remained steady over the last couple of years thanks to its role as a treat, and this is unlikely to change going forward. That most ice cream eaters do not feel they eat enough to worry about its healthiness will be helping ice cream to stay on the menu.

Nonetheless, the public focus on health limits ice cream’s growth prospect. Lower-calorie ice creams, a raft of which have entered the market in 2018, could stand to drive volume sales. However, price and a poor image as indulgent remain barriers to uptake.

Products covered in this Report

This Report covers take-home and impulse retail sales of ice cream. It excludes sales through foodservice establishments.

Take-home ice cream is defined as any product that comprises primarily ice cream and is intended for consumption in the home, including dairy ice cream and non-dairy ice cream of all flavours retailed in multiple serving packs (500ml or over) and multipacks of single-serve items. It also includes ice cream-based desserts like Viennetta.

Impulse ice cream is defined as single-serve ice cream purchased for immediate consumption, including wrapped handheld ice cream products, including ice cream cones, stick and bar products, tubs, and cups. Water ices and ice lollies are not strictly speaking ‘ice cream’ but are generally regarded as such and thus are another part of the handheld sector.

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