Australians’ love of ice cream is cooling

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Despite having a broader choice of flavours and healthier, reduced fat product options available, Australians are now less tempted by tubs of ice cream. 

In 2009, 76% of grocery buyers put ice cream in the trolley at least once in the previous 12 months. But after four consecutive years of decline, that figure is now 72%. 

Just 3% of grocery buyers buy ice cream tubs at least once a week—a rate that has been consistent over the last five years. The proportion buying ice cream only every 4-6 months is also steady, at 10%.   

As a result, the overall decline stems from fewer people buying ice cream fortnightly (down 2% points), monthly (down 2%) or every 2-3 months (down 1% point).

The rate of purchasing increased only for the least habitual buyers: the proportion of grocery shoppers who buy a tub less often than every six months has risen gradually from 8% since 2009, and is now 9%.

Geoffrey Smith, general manager for consumer products at Roy Morgan Research, said the decline has not been uniform across the population: “Australians in the ‘Career and Kids’ category are over twice as likely as average to buy ice cream tubs or cartons weekly​. 

These people are typically well educated, younger families working full-time and paying off their suburban homes, But they’re also worried about their finances and mortgages, paying for their kids’ private schooling and keeping up with the Joneses​.”

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