Ice Creams and Frozen Desserts Market Report Plus 2006
Released on = April 16, 2007, 1:48 am
Press Release Author = Bharat Book Bureau
Industry = Marketing
Press Release Summary = The UK market for ice cream and frozen desserts was valued at £1.51bn in 2005, having risen by 2.7% since 2001.
Press Release Body = Ice Creams & Frozen Desserts Market Report Plus 2006 The UK market for ice cream and frozen desserts was valued at £1.51bn in 2005, having risen by 2.7% since 2001. Sales have lagged slightly behind those of the food market overall, although they have outperformed sales in the wider sugar and sweet products category. There are two main sectors in the market - ice creams and frozen desserts.
Sales of take-home ice cream account for the largest market share. This has been encouraged by the success of multipacks of single-serve impulse items as well as innovation in bulk ice cream brands. The major share of sales is taken by multipack products, comprising larger packs of individual wrapped impulse products. With regard to tubs, ice cream premium brands were the best performers in 2005, gaining sales ahead of luxury and standard products. However, the take-home market tends to offer a changing range of products on price-based promotions and introductory offers, which may be adversely affecting values in the market.
Impulse ice cream is less price sensitive, and comprises a number of major products and brands. These include Magnum, Cornetto and Skinny Cow, as well as the Mars, Nestlé and Cadbury stick, bar and filled cones portfolios. Sales tend to centre on the summer season, and can be affected by the weather.
The frozen dessert segment has struggled to retain value. The lack of strong branding has been an issue, with the discounting that is endemic in the frozen foods sector also having an adverse effect. However, there are some positive factors - such as investment from the Aunt Bessies brand, the return of the Sara Lee brand and the introduction of the McDougalls name.
The national market for ice creams and frozen desserts is dominated by a few companies with strong brand portfolios. These include Unilever, Richmond Foods, Fredericks Dairies, HJ Heinz and RHM Frozen Foods Ltd. Branding features heavily in the market for impulse products, with a significant degree of crossover into take-home ice cream. However, retailer own labels have also made headway.
There remains scope for further progress. The presence of strong branding and ongoing product development and innovation are positive indicators for the market.