Everyone screams for ice cream regardless of season and reason. Among its many wonders is its ability to brighten up your mood because it induces the production of serotonin or the “feel-good hormone”. But, just like other products, there is a peak season for ice cream too. Wondering when that time of the year is? Read on to find out!
Summer is the time of the year when most ice cream is sold. In the US, it officially starts on the Memorial Day weekend in May and ends on Labor Day in September.
Summer is the peak season for ice cream and frozen dessert businesses because it is the time when people crave for sweet and cold treats to cool their bodies off from the blazing heat, it’s the perfect comforting snack after an exhausting day of doing outdoor activities, and one of the best ways to lower down body temperature during heatwaves.
When is the Peak Season for Ice Cream?
The busiest months in ice cream production, distribution, and vending are May, June, and July. However, July is considered the busiest month because it is the time when an average of ⅗ of total yearly ice cream manufacturing takes place.
If you’ve noticed, the spike in demand, production, and sales start a few weeks before the summer season officially kicks in, and July is the busiest month because it’s the mid-summer season. It is also the time when the demand has set in, and producers are preparing for the demand surge for August and September or the last months of summer.
Being the busiest month for ice cream production and distribution, President Ronald Reagan declared July as the U.S. National Ice Cream Month in 1984. Also, the third Sunday of July was officially designated as National Ice Cream Day. Furthermore, July 23 is proclaimed as National Vanilla Ice Cream Day to celebrate Vanilla as the second most famous ice cream flavor.
Five Tips To Make Your Ice Cream Shop Stand Out
Why are Most Ice Creams Sold During Summer Season?
- When the sun is up, the temperature is hot.
The hot summer temperature is stressful, especially when exposed to too much sun. There are various health risks connected to too much sun exposure, such as heat stroke and dehydration. During summer, people need more fluids, cold beverages, and food to cool down and soothe the overwhelming heat they feel. These are some of the reasons why ice cream is highly in demand during the summer season.
Aside from the comforting feeling that ice cream provides, people love to eat yummy treats, and what else would they get but the most favorite cold dessert in the world- ice cream? It helps us relax, induces serotonin that makes us happy, and satisfies our cravings for something refreshingly cold.
2. People seize the summer season doing their favorite sports
The summer season gives people opportunity to do their favorite outdoor sports, such as basketball, lawn tennis, football, softball, etc. The changing season limits their opportunity to play sports that’s why as soon as summer kicks in, people start enjoying playing in the gym, courts, and fields whenever they can.
What better way to replenish all the energy they shed playing competitive and adrenaline-pumping sports than to eat ice cream? It’s a fast way to replenish energy in the body and cools down body temperature. No wonder ice cream is one of the favorite snacks among sports enthusiasts.
3. The fine summer sun encourages people to enjoy the outdoors
A published study established that people tend to participate in outdoor activities when the weather is favorably fine. This is evident in the high foot traffic during the summer season. It’s human nature to go out, explore, and enjoy what they can do outside when the weather is pleasant and stays indoors curled up in bed with a hot mug of chocolate or a bowl of hot soup when the weather is cold and rainy.
The sunny weather of summer allows people to do what they can’t do during the other three seasons of the year. It’s like a fleeting opportunity to get a perfect tan, run and be fit, do some yard work and gardening, do some home improvement, fix the fence or the roof, paint the house or the shed, etc. There’s a lot you can do in summer that’s why most people venture outdoors.
The increased outdoor activities also increase the demand for ice cream because outdoors and heat affect people’s food choices. Once the heat becomes unbearable and uncomfortable, they will surely find ways to cool down, relax, and eat something delicious. What else suits the criteria but a scoop of your favorite ice cream?
7 Ways To Increase Ice Cream Sales in Summer
4. Summer is perfect for quick family getaways at beaches
According to psychologists, there’s a correlation between warm weather and activities that’s why summer and quick beach getaways are a perfect formula for fun. As soon as summer starts, locals and tourists flock to beaches to enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze, dip in the saline water of the sea, walk in the ticklish sand of the shore and appreciate the natural beauty of nature.
Seeing the breathtaking view of the sun, clouds, seawater, fine sand, and the figure of mountains on the horizon sends us into euphoria. The kids get the best out of their school summer vacation doing what they love best, running around, playing, and having fun at the beach while the adults lounge in their beach chairs, and get a tan, while others are playing beach sports like frisbee, surfing, jetski riding, or just plain swimming.
Due to the excessive heat, parching saline seawater, and energy-draining beach activities, most beachgoers crave ice cream may it be as a dessert, a snack, or just plain cravings. The sweetness of ice cream balances the salty water they taste when dipping in the sea, its coldness help relax the body, and its delicious flavors make everyone happy. This is why most ice cream truck vendors park on or near the beach during summer because they know that beachgoers need a scoop of ice cream or two.
Most beachgoers are families with kids who want to bond and spend some quality time together. We all know that families with kids tend to consume more ice cream as evident in a study report that indicates that a minimum of 34% of households with kids consume at least four quarts of ice cream per month. Tourists also love exploring new and quirky flavors from different places that’s why they tend to order ice cream induced with local flavors and locally outsourced ingredients. This is one of the many reasons why most ice cream is sold during summer.
Conclusion
The summer season is undeniably the time of the year when most ice cream is sold because people crave for sweet and cold treats to cool their bodies off from the blazing heat, it’s the perfect comforting snack after a long and tiring day of doing outdoor activities, and one of the best ways to lower down body temperature during heatwaves. The sales may not be the same in all ice cream stores or chains, but one thing’s for sure, ice cream sales pike up when the temperature rises.
Four Reasons Why Ice Cream Trucks are Profitable
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no official record as to what month has the highest ice cream sales because revenue and sales vary from one vendor to another, and are affected by different factors such as location, marketing strategy, ice cream varieties, etc. However, it has been established that the summer season is the peak period for ice cream businesses, and sales are expected to rise along with the rise in temperature.
In a study conducted by the International Dairy Foods Association or IDFA in partnership with Research America Inc., America’s top 10 most favorite ice cream flavors in 2022 are:
Chocolate
Cookies N’ Cream
Vanilla
Strawberry
Chocolate Chip
Cookie Dough
Buttered Pecan
French Vanilla
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Caramel
To learn more on how to start your own ice cream/gelato business check out my startup documents here
This blog post is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Hi! I am Shawn and I am a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online ice cream/gelato business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a ice cream/gelato business owner, I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Ice Cream Business Boss: I want to help ice cream and gelato business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.