With the opening up of new malls, ice-cream business in the city is set to thrive in the future. Registering a glittering 25 per cent annual growth rate on par with the national growth rate, selling of ice creams fetches around `10 crore monthly revenue in the city. Ice creams with natural flavours and the entry of international brands are the latest trends in the industry.
Recently, the global brand London Diary has opened its first scooping outlet in the city. According to industry sources, there are around 3,000 retailers and about 300 exclusive outlets for ice cream with in Kochi city limits now, and not surprisingly the number is moving upwards. Teenagers and children constitute more than 60 per cent of the customer base of the industry.
Prakash P B, former general manager, Lazza Icecreams, said that three-four ice cream outlets open up when an area is developed. “In the city people have now become brand conscious. The number of exclusive ice cream outlets in the city has more than doubles in a span of three years in Kochi. The retail sales also increased during this period. ice cream with natural flavours such as tender coconut, chilli and cardamom are the latest trends in the industry. Earlier flavours like vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, pista and butterscoth were available. Hence the choice was limited but the scenario has entirely changed now,” he added.
The annual ice cream business in the state is worth ` 500 cr, Kochi city alone contributes 25 percent of the total sales. Lazza, Skei, Meriiboy, Pappai, Amul, Baskin Robbins, London Diary, Milma and PDDP are the major brands on stands.
“The majority of the companies offer attractive prices for their products. With the entry of global brands the business has really opened up. Almost 90 percent of the people consume ice cream here irrespective of their age,” said an official with Merriboy Ice creams.
Vinod K Andrews, an expert in the field, said that the lack of empty spaces in Kochi makes it a major market for ice creams manufacturers.
“Now people are ready to spend more to get branded ice creams in the city. It seems more global brands will come into the market without much delay with Scooping outlets,” he added.