The global ice cream market remains rather fragmented compared to other more established food sectors. Value growth has stagnated in many regions worldwide, although this is forecast to change for the better over the next six years, as consumers increasingly trade up to premium variants and seek higher-quality ingredients, which come at a cost. Stagnation has resulted from the maturation of the sector, health concerns and growing competition from cheaper private-label products.

Ice cream is the ultimate in indulgence for many people, although manufacturers who are on the top of their game also recognise the potential for healthy indulgent products in this hugely competitive category. Manufacturers are fighting back against retailers' own-labels with more premium and innovative ice cream ranges. This premiumisation and differentiation is essential in order to avoid the economisation of the sector following private-labels' focus on single, traditional flavoured and low-price ice cream products.

This first edition report provides insights into the highly developed and competitive ice cream category. In a world where waistlines are expanding and attentions are turning towards healthier eating, ice cream manufacturers must now consider their role in the obesity debate, and provide healthier, lower fat/calorie and lighter alternatives for health-conscious consumers. The ice cream sector has held global appeal for decades, and all companies involved in this established sector must now keep on top of the major and emerging trends and market drivers.

In this report, just-food has analysed the major trends currently influencing innovation and NPD in the ice cream sector, and offered insight into future opportunities for established and emerging players. The report assesses the best-practice strategies of leading and up-and-coming ice cream companies around the world. The study also quantifies market opportunities in terms of market value in Europe, Asia and the Americas from 2000 to 2012. Brand examples are also included to highlight and substantiate strategies and analysis throughout the report, as are comments from relevant industry executives who have been interviewed by the author.

Report coverage:

* Chapter one provides an introduction.
* Chapter two offers an overview of the global ice cream market. The chapter is divided into four sections, covering specific geographical regions: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific (including Australasia). Each region is further sub-divided into selected countries to offer insight into the value and volume growth over the period 2000 to 2012.
* Chapter three looks at growth drivers and megatrends within the global ice cream industry, including healthy options (fortification, low and light, whole and natural); functional and fortified ice cream; indulgence, luxury and premium ice cream; fruit flavours; ethical/fair-trade manufacturing and convenience.
* Chapter four discusses marketing opportunities within the ice cream market including seasonality, impulse buying, families, pleasure and experimentation.
* Chapter five considers NPD trends and future strategies including getting the right flavour combination, global flavour trends and the best-practice growth strategies.
* Chapter six provides future forecasts and conclusions including market value and volume forecasts to 2012 for Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific.

Chapter 1 Report introduction
Report methodology
Aim of the report
About the author

Chapter 2 Overview of the global ice cream market
Introduction
Western Europe
Growth comparison within Western Europe
Market value
Market volume
The UK
France
Spain
Italy
Germany
Eastern Europe
Russia
Czech Republic
Poland
Asia-Pacific
China
India
Australia
The Americas
The US
Mexico

Chapter 3 Growth drivers and megatrends within the global ice cream industry
Health: fortification, low and light, whole and natural
Fruit flavours encourage consumers to feel less guilty about their purchase
Functional and fortified ice cream
Indulgence, luxury and premium ice cream
Getting ethical to attract more consumers to your brand
Convenience

Chapter 4 Marketing opportunities within the ice cream market
Introduction
Removing the need for seasonality
Targeting impulse
Targeting families
Promoting pleasure and experimentation

Chapter 5 NPD trends and future strategies
Introduction
Getting the right flavour combination
Flavour trends in the global ice cream sector
Insight: innovative, indulgent NPD
Seven best-practice growth strategies in ice cream

Chapter 6 Future forecasts and conclusions
Western Europe
Market value forecasts to 2012
Market volume forecasts to 2012
Eastern Europe
Market value forecasts to 2012
Market volume forecasts to 2012
The Americas
Market value forecasts to 2012
Market volume forecasts to 2012
Asia-Pacific
Market value forecasts to 2012
Market volume forecasts to 2012
Future opportunities

List of figures
Figure 1: Häagen-Dazs adopts limited edition strategy to optimise premium and indulgent market trends
Figure 2: Mackie’s premium one-litre tub range
Figure 3: Green & Black’s uncomplicated packaging reflects its straightforward organic ingredients
Figure 4: Unilever’s range draws on authentic ingredients and flavours

List of tables
Table 1: Ice cream market value, Western Europe, 2000-2006 (US$bn and %)
Table 2: Ice cream market value, Western Europe, 2007-2012 (US$bn and %)
Table 3: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market value for selected countries in Western Europe, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 4: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market volume for selected countries in Western Europe, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 5: Ice cream market value, UK, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 6: Ice cream market volume, UK, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 7: Ice cream market value, France, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 8: Ice cream market volume, France, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 9: Ice cream market value, Spain, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 10: Ice cream market volume, Spain, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 11: Ice cream market value, Italy, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 12: Ice cream market volume, Italy, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 13: Ice cream market value, Germany, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 14: Ice cream market volume, Germany, 2000 to 2006 (m litres and %)
Table 15: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market value for selected countries in Eastern Europe, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 16: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market volume for selected countries in Eastern Europe, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 17: Ice cream market value, Russia, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 18: Ice cream market volume, Russia, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 19: Ice cream market value, Czech Republic, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 20: Ice cream market volume, Czech Republic, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 21: Ice cream market value, Poland, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 22: Ice cream market volume, Poland, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 23: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market value for selected countries in Asia-Pacific, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 24: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market volume for selected countries in Asia-Pacific, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 25: Ice cream market value, China, 2000-2006 (US$bn and %)
Table 26: Ice cream market volume, China, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 27: Ice cream market value, India, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 28: Ice cream market volume, India, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 29: Ice cream market value, Australia, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 30: Ice cream market volume, Australia, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 31: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market value for selected countries in the Americas, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 32: Comparison of compound annual growth rates, ice cream market volume for selected countries in the Americas, 2000-2006 (%)
Table 33: Ice cream market value, US, 2000-2006 (US$bn and %)
Table 34: Ice cream market volume, US, 2000-2006 (bn litres and %)
Table 35: Ice cream market value, Mexico, 2000-2006 (US$m and %)
Table 36: Ice cream market volume, Mexico, 2000-2006 (m litres and %)
Table 37: Western European market value, selected countries, 2007-2012 (US$m and %)
Table 38: Western European market volume, selected countries, 2007-2012 (m litres and %)
Table 39: Eastern European market value, selected countries, 2007-2012 (US$m and %)
Table 40: Eastern European market value, selected countries, 2007-2012 (m litres and %)
Table 41: Americas market value, selected countries, 2007-2012 (US$bn and %)
Table 42: Americas market volume, selected countries, 2007-2012 (bn litres and %)
Table 43: Asia-Pacific market value, selected countries, 2007-2012 (US$m and %)
Table 44: Asia-Pacific market volume, selected countries, 2007-2012 (m litres and %)