How to store and display ice cream to maximise your sales

Ice cream is a frozen treat loved by people of all ages.

Whether it’s a classic scoop in a cone or a decadent sundae, ice cream brings joy and satisfaction to countless customers.

For businesses in the ice cream industry, it’s crucial to understand the significance of proper storage and display techniques to maximise sales and provide an exceptional customer experience.

In this article, we’ll explore the essential aspects of storing and displaying ice cream effectively. From maintaining optimal freezer conditions to creating enticing displays, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most out of your ice cream offering.

By implementing these practices, you can attract customers, boost sales and ensure your ice cream delights taste as good as they look.

How to store ice cream

To maintain the quality and texture of ice cream, it’s crucial to store it at the proper temperature. The ideal freezer temperature for ice cream is around -18°C (0°F) or slightly below. This temperature ensures that the ice cream remains frozen and prevents ice crystals forming and freezer burn. It’s essential to invest in freezers specifically designed for ice cream storage, as they offer consistent freezing temperatures and efficient cooling systems.

Choosing the right packaging for storing ice cream is also essential for preserving its flavour and texture.

Choose containers specifically designed for frozen desserts, that have a tight seal to prevent air exposure. Consider portion control options such as individual cups or tubs, as they offer convenience and prevent waste. Additionally, explore visually appealing packaging options that showcase the deliciousness of the ice cream to entice customers.

Organising your freezer space properly is also vital, to prevent cross-contamination and ensure product quality. Designate specific areas for different flavours and varieties of ice cream and separate them from your other frozen products.

Implement a first in, first out (FIFO) system to ensure proper stock rotation. This involves placing newly stocked ice cream at the back of the freezer, while moving older stock to the front for quicker consumption. Labelling and dating each container can help you track inventory and ensure your ice cream is always used within its recommended shelf life.

By following these storage practices, you can maintain the quality and freshness of your ice cream, ensuring every scoop delights your customers.

Creating effective ice cream displays

Creating an enticing ice cream display is essential for attracting customers and increasing sales. Arrange your ice cream flavours and varieties in an attractive and visually appealing manner. Consider grouping similar flavours together and using colour contrast to create an eye-catching presentation. Use signage and labels to clearly indicate each flavour and provide additional information such as ingredients or dietary options.

Incorporate visual cues such as toppings, sauces or garnishes to inspire customers to indulge.

The temperature of your ice cream display case also plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and appeal of your frozen treats.

It’s essential to keep the display at a temperature that allows the ice cream to remain firm but not too hard. Typically, a temperature between -14°C and -12°C (7°F to 10°F) is recommended. This ensures that the ice cream is scoopable and prevents it from melting too quickly.

Avoid frequent temperature fluctuations that can negatively impact the texture and overall quality of the ice cream.

Offering small samples of your ice cream can be a powerful tool to engage customers and encourage them to try new flavours. Provide tasting spoons and offer a selection of popular or unique flavours for sampling.

This allows customers to experience the quality and taste of your ice cream first-hand, hopefully prompting them to buy.

Train your staff to have a good understanding of the different flavours and ingredients, enabling them to provide recommendations and answer customer enquiries.

Sharing product knowledge and highlighting special features or ingredients can further enhance the customer’s experience and build their confidence in your offerings.

By implementing these effective ice cream display strategies, you can captivate customers with a visually appealing presentation and engage their taste buds with enticing samples, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Seasonal considerations

Ice cream consumption varies throughout the year, with certain seasons experiencing higher demand than others. It’s important to adapt your storage and display practices to accommodate these seasonal fluctuations.

During warmer weather or high-demand periods, ensuring your ice cream storage and display equipment can maintain optimal temperatures, even in challenging conditions, is crucial.

Consider investing in equipment with enhanced cooling capabilities or additional insulation to combat the effects of warm weather. Regularly monitor and adjust the temperature settings of your storage freezers and display cases to compensate for external temperature changes.

Take advantage of seasonal trends by offering special flavours and limited-time promotions. Highlighting seasonal flavours such as sharp sorbets in the summer, or cosy holiday-themed flavours (pumpkin-spiced latte, anyone?)  in the winter can create a sense of excitement and urgency among customers.

Use creative signage and marketing materials to showcase these seasonal offerings and entice customers to try something new or indulge in their favourite flavours while they are available.

You can also invest in custom branding to help your ice cream display units stand out and make an impact.

Maintenance and hygiene

Maintaining proper maintenance and hygiene practices is crucial to ensure the safety and quality of your ice cream.

Regularly clean and sanitise your storage and display equipment to prevent the build-up of dirt, bacteria and unwanted odours. Follow manufacturer guidelines for cleaning and use food-safe cleaning agents. Pay special attention to surfaces that come into direct contact with the ice cream, such as scoop holders and display trays.

Train your staff on proper handling techniques for scoops and utensils to minimise cross-contamination.

Ensure that scoops are properly washed and sanitised between different flavours to maintain the integrity of each flavour profile.

And provide thorough training to your staff on proper cleaning practices, including handwashing, glove use and personal hygiene. Emphasise the importance of wearing clean uniforms or aprons and maintaining a clean and tidy workspace.

Regularly reinforce these practices to ensure a high standard of food safety.

By implementing effective maintenance and hygiene practices, you can uphold the quality and safety of your ice cream products, ensuring a positive experience for your customers and protecting your business’s reputation.

How can TEFCOLD help?

Storing and displaying your ice cream properly play a crucial role in maximising sales and ensuring customer satisfaction. By following the tips listed above, your businesses can create an enticing and enjoyable ice cream experience for your customers.

If you’re investing in a new ice cream display fridge or upgrading your current one, we have the ideal solution for your business needs.

You can be confident when you come to TEFCOLD that our ice cream display fridges are designed and made to the highest quality.

Whatever the size of your business, we’ll have the ideal ice cream display fridge for you. If you’re looking for more advice on the best size or model for your business, our experienced and helpful team are always on hand to answer any queries that you may have. Call us on 01332 850090.