Scoop Up Sales with Ice Cream in Mix-and-Match Meal Bundling

 

National Ice Cream Day refocused the team at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® that Ice Cream is important to most Americans in the good old summertime.  A new Gopuff report dives into consumers' ice cream preferences and highlights how ice cream can play a crucial role in mix-and-match meal component bundling.

By analyzing orders across the country and surveying customers, the report recaps the most popular frozen treats, reveals unexpected pairings, and uncovers the U.S. cities that ordered the most ice cream in 2024. As the Grocerant Guru®, let's explore how these insights can drive incremental sales for both Baby Boomer and Gen Z consumers through innovative meal bundling.

Chocolate vs. Vanilla: The Classic Duel

In the timeless battle between chocolate and vanilla, Gopuff's survey reveals a narrow victory for vanilla, with 56% of respondents choosing it over chocolate's 44%. This classic rivalry showcases the diverse preferences that can be leveraged to create engaging mix-and-match meal bundles, allowing customers to choose their favorite flavors and enjoy a personalized dining experience.

Nationwide Favorites: A Pint-Sized Powerhouse

Ice cream's popularity on Gopuff is undeniable, with Ben & Jerry's Half Baked pint reigning supreme for nearly a decade. This beloved flavor, along with other top picks like Cookies & Crème, Strawberry, Pecan Praline, Cookie Dough, and Mint, can be seamlessly integrated into meal deals and dessert pairings. Offering these popular pints as part of a meal bundle can entice customers to indulge in a complete dining experience that ends on a sweet note.

Ice Cream Novelties: A Nostalgic Treat

Gopuff customers also have a penchant for ice cream novelties such as Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bar, Bubbies Hawaii Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream, and M&M's Vanilla Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich. These nostalgic treats can be included in meal bundles to evoke fond memories and create a sense of delight for both Baby Boomers and Gen Z consumers.

Top Toppings: Elevating the Experience

When it comes to toppings, Gopuff's survey highlights the five most popular choices: Oreos (18%), whipped cream (13%), brownies (10%), chocolate sauce (10%), and sprinkles (9%). These toppings can be offered as add-ons in meal bundles, allowing customers to customize their ice cream experience.

Moreover, unconventional toppings such as gummies, pickles, potato chips, bacon, cereal, French fries, boba, and olive oil highlight a growing trend of adventurous and salty flavor pairings. Incorporating these unique toppings into meal bundles can cater to adventurous eaters looking for a novel culinary experience.

Top Cities for Ice Cream: A Sweet Spot

Gopuff's findings reveal the top five U.S. cities that love to treat themselves with ice cream based on the percentage of orders containing ice cream:

·         Auburn, Ala.: 33% of orders contain ice cream (Most popular flavor: Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Ice Cream Pint)

·         Hartford, Conn.: 31% of orders contain ice cream (Most popular flavor: Ben & Jerry's Milk & Cookies Ice Cream Pint)

·         Providence, R.I.: 30% of orders contain ice cream (Most popular flavor: Ben & Jerry's Milk & Cookies Ice Cream Pint)

·         Birmingham, Ala.: 30% of orders contain ice cream (Most popular flavor: Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Ice Cream Pint)

·         Madison, Wis.: 30% of orders contain ice cream (Most popular flavor: Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Ice Cream Pint)

Targeting these cities with special ice cream meal bundles can drive sales and cater to their sweet tooth.

Timing and Preferences: Sweet Sales Opportunities

More than a quarter of ice cream sales occur between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with Sunday being the most popular day for ice cream orders (17% of sales). Promoting meal bundles that include ice cream during these peak times can capitalize on customers' cravings and drive incremental sales.

When it comes to eating preferences, 52% of people prefer a cup and cone combo, followed by a cone (34%) and a cup (14%). Additionally, 63% of people enjoy eating ice cream straight from the pint, while 37% prefer scooping it into a bowl. Understanding these preferences allows Gopuff to create meal bundles that cater to the convenience and enjoyment of eating ice cream directly from the container.

Think About This: Sweetening the Deal

By offering mix-and-match meal component bundling, Gopuff can elevate ice cream from a simple treat to a versatile meal component. This strategy not only drives customer engagement and satisfaction but also boosts incremental sales by appealing to the diverse tastes of both Baby Boomers and Gen Z consumers. So, let's scoop up success by incorporating ice cream into our meal bundles and sweeten the deal for everyone.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter