Under cone-trol!

Come rain or shine, Ireland’s love of ice cream is legendary, with queues out the door on days when the sun does make a welcome appearance! It’s little wonder that research has shown Ireland has the third highest consumption of ice cream per capita in Europe. Brands are making the most of this national grá with continual innovation in both flavours and formats, writes Gillian Hamill

Brand Central

25 May 2022

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Ireland has a special place in its heart for ice cream. Each spring and summer season brings new products to the market, while timeless classics enjoy an annual surge in popularity.

Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 during the past two years, the category is in a positive position. One Euromonitor study titled ‘Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts in Ireland’ anticipated that ice cream and frozen desserts would recover as soon as lockdown lifts.

Meanwhile, a Mintel Report titled ‘The Future of Ice Cream Market Report 2021’ found that 2020 created new opportunities for ice cream brands. Within the next two years, Mintel expects to see sustainability, as well as a focus on health propositions, occupy the centre stage of ice cream brand strategies. In line with consumer health and wellness trends, the availability of better-for-you options has continued to expand, it noted. Meanwhile, Euromonitor Ireland expects vegan alternatives to gain further traction.

Of course, treating is a key driver of sales in the ice cream sector and Mintel added that indulgence and flavours remain the key ice cream purchase attributes. The category is expected to maintain and reinforce its indulgent positioning both in dairy and dairy-alternative variants.

With so much excitement in the category, here we look at the must-have products for the season.

Vegan soft-serve line expanded

2022 has been a hugely positive start for Dairyglen with the addition of nearly 300 new accounts so far this year and the expansion of its vegan product line to include two new dairy-free soft-serve mixes. The range now offers both powder and liquid options to compliment all machine types and features a variety of plant-based toppings, syrups, cones and an exclusive vegan Nutella luxury sauce.

Dairyglen’s vegan soft-serve mix is 100% vegan certified and suitable for anyone with milk allergies or lactose intolerance

Free from dairy, gluten and nuts, the vegan soft-serve mix offers no compromise on taste with the same luxurious, creamy flavour of the Irish 99 you know and love. The mix is 100% vegan certified and suitable for anyone with milk allergies or lactose intolerance.

“We’re really excited by the new additions to our vegan range,” says Kirstie Delaney of Dairyglen. “Typically, vegan alternatives mean a compromise for the consumer which naturally affects sales for the retailer. We’ve worked tirelessly over the last two years to develop a range that means no trade-off on taste, flavour or texture is necessary. Most of the team here in Dairyglen have a background in retail so we know what retailers typically look for and we try to combine that with the expectation of the Irish consumer.”

Dairyglen is proud to offer a complete vegan package that includes everything from mix, to compostable packaging and a range of machines to suit

Recognising the growing value of plant-based alternatives in the Irish market, Dairyglen is proud to offer a complete package that includes everything from mix, to compostable packaging and a range of machines to suit. “Vegan soft-serve has been on the up for a while now, but it’s never come close to matching the taste and texture that the Irish people have come to look for from Irish dairy soft-serve,” says Delaney. “We can happily say we’ve solved that problem. We’ve created a range with no compromise for consumers or retailers’ bottom line. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Driving innovation

As well as cones, BWG Foods’ I Scream range includes scrumptious creations such as the Squirmy Snake, the Twixoffe Twist and the delectable range of Screamers Milkshakes

Our collective relationship with ice-cream is well known and Irish people do love to “cool down” by indulging their sweet tooth and consuming ice cream during the hotter summer months, with the ice-cream season traditionally starting on St Patrick’s Day.

As a recognised expert in food innovation in the retail sector, BWG Foods is very proud of its new series of Super Sundaes designed to tickle and entice the most discerning of palates and which are available across the Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis and XL estates.

These new products take inspiration from BWG’s bespoke ice cream concept, I Scream, and BWG’s food & beverage innovation team have come up with such delightful offerings such as the Squirmy Snake, the Twixoffe Twist and the delectable range of Screamers Milkshakes.

BWG Foods’ Super Sundaes have been designed to entice the most discerning of palates

This year, within BWG’s ice cream partners, the group is seeing a great increase in Irish produced ice cream with an increase in really innovative gourmet flavours, with such wonderful new additions such as Atlantic Sea Salt ice cream and candy floss being the stand-outs.

Similarly, in consumer-ready ice cream, innovative new partnerships have been introduced to the businesses with the likes of Popsicle. Popsicle is a brand new, innovative retail concept that is targeted at the existing gelato/ice cream marketplace. Popsicle’s range of Gourmet Gelato Pops are an ideal addition to retailers’ frozen treat offering. The Popsicle product range offers a choice of over 70+ flavours and offering high value add on opportunities through customisable dips and toppings.

Holy trinity of ice cream heaven!

The Angelito, Blizz and Carpigiani brands combine to form a heavenly trio, according to ice cream experts, Martin Food Equipment.

Ireland’s most loved soft whipped ice cream Angelito continues to be the top selling mix for over 40 years because, the brand confidently asserts, it’s simply the best! With up to 80% margins, Angelito yields the highest cones per litre, making it not just delicious, but the best profit generator in any retail outlet.

The Carpigiani ice cream machine coupled with Angelito ice cream and Blizz toppings and treats make a great combination

Partnered with Blizz toppings and treats, Angelito evolves from the nation’s favourite ice cream cone to bang on-trend super sundaes, tempting tubs and malty milkshakes for fabulous year-round sales. Blizz’s focused range of divine syrups, sauces, toppings, and inclusions, as well as ripples helps to create a no-fuss exciting menu to maximise retailers’ soft ice cream sales and keep customers coming back for more.

Small in size, big in profit, the Carpigiani ice cream machine completes the perfect holy trinity of ice cream heaven with Angelito ice cream and Blizz toppings and treats. Easy to integrate, supported custom design, complete with training as well as a nationwide service team, at Martin Food Equipment there’s never been a simpler way or time to implement soft ice cream into your business.

For insights on what’s new, menu ideas and to learn how to increase sales with a tailormade ice cream offering, contact the ice cream experts at Martin Food Equipment on 042 9330366.

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