Scots now buy almost as much ice cream during the coldest months as the summer, industry figures have revealed.
October to March sales at Mackie’s of Scotland accounted for 47% of its total ice cream sales in the most recent full year – with revenues in those six months also up 8% year on year.
Marking the highest proportion of winter sales the firm has ever recorded, Mackie’s data corresponds with wider Mintel market research that shows that more than 40% of Scots now eat ice cream “at least two to three times per month” in autumn and winter.
In a separate poll conducted by the firm, 57% confirmed that they eat the “same amount of ice cream all year round”, in a poll of 4,615 respondents.
Stuart Common, commercial director at Mackie’s, said: “It’s interesting to see the gap closing to such an extent, between sales at different times of the year, as it suggests a tangible shift in consumer habits.
“What it does tell us is that attitudes towards the way people enjoy ice cream are changing – something we’ve seen building for some time – and this goes beyond having milder winters.”
