To help you stay ahead of the competition and sell more in 2025, we have identified 6 top trends shaping your sales now and in the future.
Bitesize ice creams are more popular than ever, making up 62% of the food-to-go mission. These smaller formats cater perfectly to customers seeking portion-controlled indulgence, fitting seamlessly into treat-focused shopping missions.
By stocking a range of bite-sized options, stores can appeal to a broad audience, from busy parents wanting a guilt-free treat to health-aware shoppers seeking mindful indulgence.
NEW Magnum Bon Bons are the ideal solution to make the most of this growing trend, available in two delicious flavours.
Food-to-go is continuing to gain traction, with its mission share climbing by 1.3 percentage points in 2024. Breakfast and lunch shoppers are increasingly looking for convenient pairings, creating a golden opportunity for cross-category promotions.
Adding pre-packaged ice creams as dessert options to meal deals can help capture this growing market. Strategically placing on-the-go ice cream formats near sandwich or snack aisles makes it easy for shoppers to make impulse purchases, boosting your sales!
Health awareness is reshaping consumer choices, but indulgence remains important. Health-focused treats such as vegan or reduced-sugar ice creams are proving popular with shoppers seeking mindful indulgence.
These products can draw attention to your freezer section and attract new demographics, including younger, health-savvy consumers. By stocking ice creams that align with these trends, your store will appeal to more people, ultimately selling more not only in the ice cream category, but elsewhere too.
Our Responsibly Made for Kids range is perfect for parents who wish to extend this ethos to their children too – want to learn more? Visit our RMFK’s page here
The ongoing cost-of-living challenges mean consumers are looking for affordable treats, but they still don’t want to sacrifice quality. Affordable premium options (ice creams that feel indulgent but come at accessible price points) are particularly appealing.
Use combo deals, offers and a wide range of ice cream options which are visible and well-stocked to encourage repeat visits and build customer loyalty.
Ice cream remains one of the most impulsive grocery purchases, second only to confectionery! To maximise these impulse buys, focus on freezer placement…
Freezers located near high-traffic zones, such as store entrances or checkout counters, can grab the attention of shoppers as they’re moving through your store. Visibility and availability are key.
Keep those bestsellers in stock to retain shopper loyalty, and make sure you use our FREE POS to boost sales by up to 77%.
The frozen category as a whole is expanding, with purchase share growing by 1.3 percentage points in 2024. Ice cream’s strong role in this growth makes it a cornerstone of profitability for convenience stores!
Investing in a well-curated range of ice creams allows you to ride the wave of this upward trend. Stock fan favourite limited-time offers like Ben & Jerry’s Minter Wonderland to keep your ice cream section fresh and exciting, encouraging repeat visits.
SOURCES:
HHG & KMMS Golden Rules of Unilever POSM AW 2020 – Sellcheck and GFK Matched Panel Tests
