Global ice cream brands are competing in a market valued at USD 79.0 billion in 2021 which is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2022 to 2030. To make sure consumer demand doesn’t melt away, manufacturers have been striving to increase their product range by introducing new ice cream varieties, such as natural, organic ingredients and exotic flavours. Along with product premiumization and innovations, major ice cream brands are also seeking to expand their digital footprint by teaming up with food delivery apps to promote and deliver their products. In this article, we analyse the top ice cream brands on food delivery in the UK and US.

Overview: Desserts on food delivery platforms 

Food delivery apps allow consumers to fulfil their cravings and have their favourite sweet treats delivered right to their doorstep in minutes. Nowadays, an increasing number of stores sell desserts online. Our data reveals that 45% to 50% of digital storefronts (DSFs) sell desserts on a food delivery platform in the UK. In the US, the percentage of DSFs selling desserts on three major food delivery platforms varies from 39% to 42%. 

Studies have shown that ice cream is the most popular choice of dessert when ordering online. Adding ice cream to online menus can not only increase average order value but also enhance visibility on the delivery platforms. It is reasonable to predict that ice cream will become an increasingly essential player in the food delivery market.

Comparing the UK and US: Top listed ice cream brands on food delivery

Unilever is leading the market on food delivery, they own winning brands such as Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum. Ben & Jerry’s is dominating the market on food delivery platforms in both the UK and the US, followed by Haagen Dazs and Magnum. In the UK, the number of DSFs across three platforms selling Ben & Jerry’s is particularly outstanding - it is around three times more than the second-listed brand Haagen Dazs and third-listed brand Magnum. 

In the US food delivery market, the penetration rate of ice cream is much lower. Around 3% of DSFs across Doordash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats sell Ben & Jerry’s, which is approximately 30% more than Haagen Dazs, and around three times more than Magnum. Uber Eats makes the largest distribution to the US market by having the most number of DSFs selling Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen Dazs.

It's no surprise that CPG giants like Unilever are expanding to digital channels and scaling up partnerships with food delivery companies to enrich brand portfolios and seek growth opportunities. However, with a high penetration rate for desserts but a low penetration rate for ice cream, brands should continue to invest in digital space in the US, as there’s still ample room for growth.

Although Unilever is dominating the ice cream markets in both the UK and the US, the penetration rate in the US is much lower than in the UK. With e-commerce channels growing rapidly there are still plenty of opportunities for ice cream brands to expand digitally and have their products reach a wider target market through food delivery online. CPG companies need to stay on top of their game, and follow trends across the market.

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