Would you add ice cream?

[gingerdad]

Bit of background we have a gift and card shop in a seaside village. Large forecourt outside where we could put an ice cream stall on sunny days or a freezer in the shop.

Two shops near us already sell ice cream but we are constantly being asked if we sell it. So not sure supply is meeting demand.

Main negative would be the need to employ someone just for the ice cream but the margins look very healthy.

One of the shops who currently sell ice cream have also started selling some products we sell - even though we had a deal with that company for exclusivity on a those lines. Not sure if this is clouding my view.

Thoughts please?

 

[swankypants69]

I would go for it

All is fair in love and war

Other businesses will stock what they want irrespective of what you sell i.e. they won't leave the card game to you, they will stock them if they sell

Maybes start off with just a small glass topped freezer full of magnums, calippos etc

Would test the water first before plunging in with full blown soft scoop operation or mr whippy style

(Speaking from experience ish)

What do the other shops around you sell in terms of ice cream?

 

[Deleted member 59730]

DEpends how busy your village is. In a good position ice cream sells £1500 plus per day on a sunny day.

 

[Ian J]

Many years ago I had a restaurant in a shopping precinct and on a warm summer's Saturday I used to stick an ice cream freezer in the precinct manned by my teenage son and we did very well out of it

 

[gingerdad]

That's kind of our plan

We regularly get 500 + people for a weekend event which happens most twice most weekends from Easter to end of September in addition to a busy village.

 

[gingerdad]

We would supply scoop ice cream already identified a local supplier

 

[Mike_Cartwright]

I think it's just right to offer what customers are asking for if it's plausible. You can add a bit of creativity with the type of ice cream you'll be selling. For example, you can go for a variety of flavors (mostly those that couldn't be bought at the other shops near yours).

A different serving size can also up your sales even if there are two other shops selling the same product. You can go for ice cream that can be shared by a group of 3 or 4 people instead of serving them in small cups.

 

[gingerdad]

Thanks Mike. One of the reasons I like the supplier that we are looking at is the choice of flavours and that it's also local made on the farm.

Some food for thought. Thanks.

 

[Mike_Cartwright]

Thanks Mike. One of the reasons I like the supplier that we are looking at is the choice of flavours and that it's also local made on the farm.

Anytime. That's great. I'm glad to know you're supporting local, too.

 

[Ian J]

One of the reasons I like the supplier that we are looking at is the choice of flavours and that it's also local made on the farm.

Make sure that your ice cream freezer has all the plus points plastered all over it so that customers will recognize the product as premium

 

[Chris Ashdown]

As above clearly advertise Tast the difference, made from milk farmed about x miles away here is a picture of Daisy or something like that and dont be mean on the scoops size

 

[gingerdad]

Make sure that your ice cream freezer has all the plus points plastered all over it so that customers will recognize the product as premium

As above clearly advertise Tast the difference, made from milk farmed about x miles away here is a picture of Daisy or something like that and dont be mean on the scoops size

Don'y worry it will be - i think its key to show the added local value

 

[Coversure Hull]

If there seems to be a market for it go for it. As pointed out above, making your product stand out will give you a usp.

 

[gingerdad]

Just wondering which flavours people like. We are going for it. Two questions survey.

http://surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VQ68GWP

 

[Mr D]

Never forget vanilla. Stock multiple other flavours but don't forget the common seller.

 

[gingerdad]

No vanilla on our permanent list

 

[roydmoorian]

If you will be working with the Farm Dairy then ask if they have a Low Carb range, or are willing to develop one. There are many who would appreciate choice, but do make them aware of the "Carbs per Cornet".

Don't call it "diabetic" ice cream, just "Low Carb"

http://www.ditchthecarbs.com/2015/07/17/best-low-carb-sugar-free-ice-cream/

But is possible to have too big a choice and that wastes time. When a customer comes to buy an ice cream they are not going to go away without one !

 

[Mr D]

But is possible to have too big a choice and that wastes time. When a customer comes to buy an ice cream they are not going to go away without one !

Unless the range on offer doesn't include what they like and someone nearby does.

 

[gingerdad]

To start with it will be fairly limited 5 permanent flavours and two monthly specials. If it works we would then invest more.

It's going to be interesting. Have spent today visiting loads of different places selling ice cream to get different ideas and pricing.

 

[Mr D]

To start with it will be fairly limited 5 permanent flavours and two monthly specials. If it works we would then invest more.

It's going to be interesting. Have spent today visiting loads of different places selling ice cream to get different ideas and pricing.

Research? With appropriate tasting of course?

Grin.

Don't forget to get receipts, this is a business research.

 

[gingerdad]

Oh don't worry we did. Amazing how much research you can do. Though daughter a little green at the end of the day.