Cornett-no! Popular ice cream brands have soared in price over the past two years, Which? finds

Overall grocery price inflation currently stands at 1.6 per cent, according to market analysts Kantar. But that figure disguises the huge rise in the price of many groceries over the past two years. 

Which? compared ice cream costs at the UK’s biggest supermarkets in the two months to 8 July 2024 with the same period two years ago, and found some branded products had seen huge price increases.

The findings are released as Which? reveals the results of its latest strawberry ice cream cone and tropical flavoured ice cream taste tests that have found cheaper and tastier supermarket own-brand options that are available to consumers. 

The biggest price increase Which? found was Cornetto strawberry ice cream cones x6 (540ml). This product rose from £2.57 to £3.55, an increase of 38 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

The consumer champion found that Cornetto Classico cone x6 (540ml) increased in price by a similar amount, 35 per cent, from £2.57 to £3.48 during the same time period. 

Solero Exotic ice cream lollies x3 (270ml) also saw a 35 per cent price increase from £2.03 to £2.75.

Feast chocolate ice creams x4 (360ml) jumped by 28 per cent in price from £2.42 to £3.11.

Another product that Which? found had increased in price was Fab strawberry fruity lollies ice cream x6 (348ml). The lollies rose from £1.97 to £2.43, an increase of 23 per cent.

Consumers buying Rowntree’s products have also been subjected to price rises. Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles lollies x4 (260ml) went from £2 to £2.43 - up 22 per cent, while Rowntree’s watermelon lollies x4 (292ml) increased from £2.03 to £2.47 - up 21 per cent.

When looking for price increases, one product that the consumer champion found had actually gone down in price (albeit minimally) was Magnum’s double gold caramel billionaire x3 (255ml). The box went from £3.72 to £3.63, which is a price cut of two per cent.

All prices were averages across the major supermarkets they were available in for the two months to July 8 2024, compared to the same period in 2022 and include regular discounts but not multibuys or loyalty prices. 

Unilever owns the Cornetto, Feast, Solero, and Magnum brands. Nestlé owns the Rowntree’s and Fab brands.

Rising prices in raw ingredients such as milk and sugar, combined with high energy and transportation costs have contributed to price increases. 

Ahead of the summer, Which? also conducted its own blind consumer taste tests for both strawberry ice cream cones and tropical flavoured ice creams to see how supermarket brands fared against Cornetto and Solero. Some of the own-brand products tested cost less than half the price of the big brands and are a good option for consumers looking to avoid the biggest hikes.

Aldi Gianni's Tropico Exotic Fruit Lollies (£1.35 for three) scored 76%, which was higher overall compared to Solero in the taste tests, and resulted in the product receiving a Which? Best Buy. At less than 50p per ice cream, they are a Great Value option for consumers craving a fruity pick-me-up. Solero did not score badly overall with 70%, but the panel found the aroma less appealing compared to other supermarket ice creams.

For the strawberry ice cream cone tests, it was a three-way tie at the top with Asda, Lidl and Morrisons scoring 77%. Asda (Asda Strawberry Ice Cream Cones, £1.99 x6), Lidl (Lidl Bon Gelati Ice Cream Cones, £1.99 x 6) and Morrisons (Morrisons Strawberry Ice Cream Cones, £1.50 x4) supplied the most satisfying and tasty cones, so were all Best Buys. 

Cornetto proved to be disappointing and was less well liked compared to others on test, receiving a score of 65%. Over a third wanted the ice cream to be creamier and over a quarter said it lacked sweetness.

Ele Clark, Which? Retail Editor, said:

“Few of us can resist an ice cream on a hot summer’s day, but the price hikes our research has revealed could leave ice cream lovers feeling cold.

“Thankfully, Which?’s tests have unearthed some own-brand supermarket alternatives that taste better and cost less than their big-brand rivals.” 

ENDS

Right of Replies

Which? approached all of the manufacturers for a comment. Which? did not receive a response for Rowntree’s and Fab from Nestlé.

A spokesperson for Unilever, which makes Cornetto, Feast, Magnum and Solero, said: “We are committed to using the highest-quality ingredients for our ice cream products and regularly review our ranges to ensure we continue to offer choice, superior quality and value to our shoppers by offering a range of product sizes to suit different shoppers preferences, needs and budgets. The retail price of our products is always at the sole discretion of the retailer and we, like all manufacturers, only provide a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).”

Notes to Editors

All prices were averages across the major supermarkets they were available in for the two months to July 8 2024, compared to the same period two years earlier and include regular discounts but not multibuys or loyalty prices. 

Useful links

Which?’s food inflation tracker

Full strawberry ice cream cones taste test results 

Full tropical ice cream taste tests results 

How Which? did its taste tests

The ice creams were tasted in June 2024 by a large panel of consumers who regularly buy and consume ice creams. 

The taste test was blind, so Which?’s testers didn’t know which brand they were trying. The order in which they tasted the ice creams was fully rotated to avoid any bias. Each person had a private booth, so they couldn’t discuss what they were tasting or be influenced by others.

Strawberry ice cream taste test

Each strawberry ice cream was assessed by 68 people. The tasters rated the taste, texture, aroma and appearance of each and told Which? what they liked and disliked about each one. 

Tropical ice cream taste test

Each ice cream was assessed by 69 people. Each taster rated the taste, texture, aroma and appearance of each ice cream, then told Which? what they liked and disliked about them.

About Which?

Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.

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