Running an ice cream shop in winter is a challenging business. Yet, with the right ideas, the colder seasons can offer opportunities to offer exclusive specialties and attract new customers. Until a few years ago, many owners chose to close for a few months , but today this is not possible for everyone. The 2024 Catering Report compiled by FIPE (Italian Federation of Public Establishments) highlights a positive trend in out-of-home food consumption in Italy: this data encourages us to focus on maintaining high revenue levels without interrupting our business, but rather by renewing it. In this article, we offer some strategies for selling ice cream in winter as well.
An ice cream shop where entering is a pleasure, even in winter
When it's cold outside, it's important to offer a welcoming atmosphere . A quiet and pleasant atmosphere will encourage customers to come in. Fall and winter are seasons with plenty of opportunities to show off seasonal holiday decor. A pleasant and welcoming atmosphere will attract those craving a special snack or those who prefer to take their time deciding on the flavors to create a takeaway tub to enjoy at home.
Seasonal flavors, an opportunity for your customers
Fall and winter are seasons rich in opportunities to offer exclusive flavors . Chestnuts, the ingredient of the delicate marron glacé , persimmons, and mandarins are fruits that can transform a seemingly unsuitable time for a cold dessert into an opportunity to enjoy a special ice cream. And why not, you can even be a little daring and offer flavors based on seasonal vegetables, like pumpkin, or aromatic herbs. The cold months can offer a great opportunity to attract a more curious clientele , eager to explore new flavors.
Production and communication strategy
In autumn and winter, customer relationships are different than in the warmer seasons, so it's important to implement new strategies to communicate your business. Furthermore, since ice cream consumption in winter is often dependent on the weather , it's a good idea to adapt your production to the good and bad weather to avoid having leftovers. Your communication should focus on a more local clientele , who are stable even in winter and will flock to your establishment especially on weekends or in the evenings for a takeaway tub.Enrich the menu with more wintery offerings
A very effective strategy for maintaining a steady turnover even in winter is to focus on a more varied offering that complements ice cream with winter desserts, such as crêpes , waffles, and churros . Customers will be delighted by delicious ice cream and dessert combinations that successfully blend hot and cold flavors without sacrificing the personality and character of your ice cream parlor.
Precisely with the many summer venues that need to be converted in the autumn in mind, Techfood has created Unika , a machine with interchangeable plates, capable of preparing crepes, waffles, churros and many other specialties.
For those with a sweet tooth, why not opt for chocolate , offering a unique alternative to traditional hot chocolate? For those who prefer chocolate, Choco Burger and Choco Kebab are two perfect ideas for the winter menu of ice cream parlors, increasingly in demand by Italians eager to try delicious new treats.
Choco Burger is a chocolate burger wrapped between two waffle cones , served with a filling of cream, sprinkles, custard, fruit, or even ice cream. It's suitable for every season, with eight flavors available , some of which are perfect for winter (Oreo, Speculoos, Kinder Cereali dark chocolate, Kinder Cereali white chocolate, Bacio, White chocolate and biscuit, Amaretto, and Dark chocolate with orange and cinnamon).
Choco Kebab , on the other hand, is a chocolate kebab that combines the traditional flavor of Piedmontese cremino with the dramatic shape of this famous Middle Eastern dish. The result is a unique and fun chocolate dessert, perfect as an alternative to crepes and sure to delight your customers.
Finally, for those who want to offer both original chocolate-based preparations, the answer is called Choco : a single machine, two fun and innovative proposals to amaze your customers.
Want to keep your ice cream shop going strong even in winter? Don't hesitate to contact us to learn more.