For years, if I spoke to my customers about adding vegan ice cream or non-dairy options to their menu, I would be looked upon with scorn and distaste. I wouldn’t say I lost customers over my penchant for non-dairy profits, but people looked at me as a little off. Old timers in the business were purists. They wanted more fat. More dairy. More animals. Any mention of non-dairy or vegan was sluffed aside as a trend amongst hipsters and yuppies. Here today – gone tomorrow. The true constant was ice cream.
But I’m nothing if not persistent. And I’m a bit of a data geek. I would explain to customers that this “trend” was now getting into the double digits in regards to marketability. This “trend” was slotting into the 30-50 percentile amongst the millennial and GenZ demographics. This “trend” sells at a higher price point. This “trend” can create a new profit center. This “trend” is not going to end.
Eventually I started to breakthrough. I can’t take all of the credit. Frankly, business people started seeing the business opportunity. They started listening to their vegan niece at Thanksgiving. They started to take notice of vegan and non-dairy offerings at major food outlets and retail locations. Their vendors started to mention new products they had within this line. And the results have been great.
So what are YOU waiting for? Adding vegan ice cream to your store offers several benefits:
- Broader Customer Base: Vegan ice cream attracts customers who are vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply prefer dairy-free options. This allows you to cater to a more diverse group of customers.
- Growing Market Trend: The demand for plant-based foods, including vegan ice cream, is on the rise as more people adopt plant-based or flexitarian diets. Offering vegan options aligns your business with this growing trend.
- Inclusivity: By providing options for those with dietary restrictions or ethical preferences, you position your store as inclusive and customer-focused, which can foster loyalty.
- Positive Brand Image: Including vegan options can enhance your brand’s reputation by showing that you care about sustainability, health, and customer choice.
- Competitive Advantage: Many ice cream shops still don’t offer a wide variety of vegan options, so adding them could give you an edge over competitors and make your store stand out.
Adding vegan ice cream to your ice cream shop can bring tangible benefits, as reflected by recent market statistics:
- Market Growth: The global vegan ice cream market was valued at around $600 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 10% from 2023 to 2030. This growth indicates increasing consumer demand for dairy-free options, which your shop could tap into.
- Increased Consumer Interest: A survey by the Plant Based Foods Association found that 60% of U.S. consumers are reducing their consumption of animal products, and 35% say they frequently look for vegan alternatives. Offering vegan ice cream would cater directly to this trend.
- Dietary Needs: Approximately 65% of the world population has some degree of lactose intolerance. Vegan ice cream provides an appealing option for those customers, allowing you to serve a wider audience and cater to dietary restrictions.
- Customer Loyalty and Spending: Studies show that customers who perceive a business as inclusive and accommodating (such as offering vegan options) tend to exhibit greater loyalty and spend up to 20% more compared to stores that lack such options. Adding vegan ice cream can thus boost both customer satisfaction and revenue.
- Millennials and Gen Z Preferences: Millennials and Gen Z consumers are the key drivers of the plant-based movement. Reports indicate that these groups are willing to spend more on sustainable and plant-based products, meaning you could attract a younger demographic that values these offerings, contributing to long-term brand loyalty.
As an added bonus, the non-dairy and vegan options out there are now good. Admittedly years ago, when I started pushing this, they were not. Vegan soft serve is delicious. Batch options are just as good. They are readily available from a ton of vendors. Sure they are more pricey than the dairy options, but you can charge more without any blowback from the buying market.
It’s time to take advantage of this “trend.”
Adding vegan products is not just about the added convenience for a single customer or an additional one or two sales a day. Offering vegan products is going to add to the overall experience the family or group has together.