Some ice cream parlors were hit by the pandemic and are still recovering; on the other hand, others even opened stores.
Flavors of vanilla, chocolate, mint, rum, raisins in a cone or in a glass, with or without sugar, and even yogurt ice cream are part of the hundreds of varieties offered by the ice cream parlors in the country, a market that grows more and more every day.
A few decades ago it was not so diverse. There was little supply, which focused on the locations of Pingüino, from Unilever, and Topsy, from the Tonicorp company.
Now there are artisan options that are even served with waffles, brownies and they are mixed with toppings ranging from fruit to gum, gummies, cookies, and granola.
Some of these companies were affected by the pandemic, others not so much and they managed to open stores.
For example, Sorbet spent three difficult months, says his president Aldo Faidutti. “A misfortune happened to us, the factory was without power and everything was lost,” he says and adds that despite this, the family undertook door-to-door sales to overcome that moment and that’s how it was.
The ice cream business innovates and seeks to recover the consumption of Ecuadorians
“After we stabilized, sales began to skyrocket,” says Faidutti, who said that They have opened two stores, in Mucho Lote in 2020 and another road to Salitre this year. The next will be in Milagro.
The company has 15% more sales levels than in 2019.
The best-selling ice creams, according to Faidutti, depends on the neighborhood. For example, in La Garzota it is rum raisins and in Samborondón pistachio. It also varies by age, in children the Oreo cookie and in adults its traditional Donatella, with a hazelnut cream made by them.
Another of the advances that has driven this company, with more than 15 years, it’s her recent makeover, says Sorbetto’s manager, Doménica Faidutti.
“We had not changed the image and we wanted to give the brand some youth, feel freshness, tranquility, peace,” says Doménica and adds that redesigned the logo, slogan, placing cyan was maintained. There is a wall with ice cream cones, music, among others.
Of all the premises that began with this improvement in Samborondón, the others are being carried out little by little. Their products are consumed together with cakes, brownies, cat tongues. It has its 0% sugar, fat and lactose line with the so-called Sanna ice creams.
According to the Superintendency of Companies, Securities and Insurance, there are 198 companies registered under this line of business.
Another of the companies with a presence in the country is All Cold. This Ecuadorian company began its operations in Cuenca in 2000. Its main characteristic is the artisan ice creams and mantecados.
Lynda Álava, Guayaquil area manager, mentions that 2020 was complex. They still lack recover 15% of income to reach the pace of 2019. She argues that these ups and downs are due to citizens’ fear of going out and visiting shopping malls.
Condiments, desserts and fast food, among the products with the highest post-quarantine consumption in Ecuador
“It is a big social problem, but you have to know how to live with it (…), it will be difficult because of this fear that there are days when they go to shopping centers and others are empty,” he says.
Tutto Freddo owns 64 stores between its own and franchises. The opening of new points also in shopping centers is being analyzed.
What’s more, will increase their portfolio with 32 new ice cream flavors, from Italy, both artisanal and light, those sweetened with stevia.
The ice cream parlor in recent years has opted to offer something additional. Some places have a bakery and even lasagna is sold. The company also runs Nice Cream and Yoguberry ice cream parlor, its line of yogurt ice cream.
And under this last method he concentrates Greenfrost, a company that was born in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas in 2012 as a result of an undertaking, says the manager Patricio Pozo.
In its first year, they opened six stores and now have 76 in 17 provinces. Some are in shopping centers.
The concept of frozen yogurt was hit by the pandemic. They registered a 21% drop in sales in relation to 2019. “However, there was no dismissal of personnel and there was no definitive closure of stores,” Pozo highlights.
This 2021, punctually in November, demand grew by 44% compared to 2020. “This has given us a break, thanks to the loyalty of our customers, for the taste, nutritional and healthy qualities of our product,” says Pozo.
Greenfrost products are accompanied with fruits, jams, cereals and others. Their expectation is to expand their presence and cover the remaining provinces.
Meanwhile, another of the brands present in the market is Baskin Robbins, of the KFC Group. The international ice cream parlor chain is over 20 years old and was not spared from the impact of the pandemic.
Ana Carolina Vela, Marketing Manager at Baskin Robbins, assures that they had a fall the previous year and now its sales are between 20% and 30% less compared to 2019.
Topsy’s Majestik ice cream is passed to Toni and the vanilla variant is added
They have 21 stores, all in shopping centers and their innovation is monthly. This consists of the launch of a new product. For example, December is the Christmas flavor and consists of a white chocolate flavored ice cream with sour cherry.
Candle indicates that consumption was increased by delivery in liter and half liter products. In the premises, the ice cream cotton candy and the pralines and cream (praline and caramel).
“I think that next year we are going to reach a more competitive sales level,” he mentions and adds that the opening of two stores is in planning.
Baskin Robbins ice creams are imported from the United States. They are served in cones, glasses or with desserts. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
