In search of value: Larger ice cream container sizes and other insights

Cool off with a scoop (or three) for National Ice Cream Month is right around the corner. As we celebrate this beloved frozen treat, now is the perfect time to examine emerging ice cream trends. We’ll look at insights into container sizes and its implications. We’ll also explore the most popular ice cream flavors and the month with the highest increase in ice cream sales (hint: it’s not July).

The quest for value

Shoppers are snapping up large ice cream container sizes such as Pails (6 quarts) across brands. While smaller container sizes such as Traditional (1.5 quarts) and Premium pints (0.5 quarts) are outperforming Pails from a sales standpoint, Pails is leading the other container sizes in sales growth compared to last year.

As our research shows, shoppers are prioritizing value for their money. It is likely that larger ice cream container sizes are attractive to shoppers who are looking to get more ice cream for their dollar.

Top-selling pail ice cream flavors

When it comes to ice cream flavors, the classics win.

How do grocery shoppers get their ice cream?

The majority of grocery shoppers head to stores to purchase their ice cream, followed by buying online and picking up or having it delivered.

Which month experienced the highest growth in ice cream sales?

Although National Ice Cream Month is in July and had the highest sales volume in 2022, we see that sales growth was highest in October. The growth was driven by units, households and dollar sales per unit. This could be for a number of reasons:

• Seasonal flavors and promotions – Shoppers enticed by new seasonal ice cream flavors and special discounts or promotions led to increased purchases  

• Post-summer discounts – Consumers may have found discounted ice cream prices as retailers cleared out their inventory

We all scream for ice cream (value)

In an era marked by economic uncertainties, consumers are becoming more strategic in their purchasing decisions. The increasing popularity of larger ice cream container sizes suggests a shift in consumer behavior. By opting for larger sizes, shoppers are attempting to derive greater value for their money. As this trend and other ice cream trends continue to shape the market, brands have an opportunity to drive loyalty by providing exceptional quality and taste as well as helping consumers stretch their budget.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this blog incorrectly stated that shoppers bought the most ice cream in October 2022. October had the highest sales growth.