Are you planning to open an ice cream parlour and wondering where is the best place to sell ice cream? As an ice cream powder supplier, LYKKE often accompanies our clients in the process of starting their business and supports them in making decisions regarding location selection. See how to choose the right place and take a closer look at the factors that affect sales effectiveness. Where should you sell ice cream and make a profit? Here’s a list of places worth considering.
It’s obvious that, for any stationary business, location plays a significant role – especially in the case of a food establishment or an ice cream point. What should you take into account when choosing a place to open your ice cream shop? What aspects should you pay attention to so that your chosen spot turns out to be a success?
Places with high foot traffic are ideal locations for opening an ice cream stand. Premises on main city streets, frequently visited park paths, areas near playgrounds, schools, churches or shopping centres – all these are places where you can expect pedestrian movement, and therefore, potential customers. On hot days, people look for ways to cool down – your ice cream stand along their way to work or the shop, during a walk or on their way back from the playground will surely catch their eye.
High foot traffic locations
When choosing a place to open your ice cream parlour, try to ensure it’s in a tourist-attractive area. What does that mean exactly? It’s good to pick a location near monuments, museums or other attractions that draw tourists, such as amusement parks, agritourism spots or theme parks. If you’re planning to open a mobile ice cream parlour, your current location can easily depend on seasonal events – fairs, festivals, concerts or family picnics. Another great idea is to set up an ice cream stand near recreational paths, sports facilities, or entrances to beaches – locations that are seasonally crowded with tourists.
Tourist areas and attractions
When deciding to sell ice cream, remember several key factors that impact your business success. What makes an ice cream parlour a profitable business?
Seasonality
Apart from location, the second most important factor is seasonality. It’s widely believed that ice cream sells best in summer – it’s a seasonal product. But that doesn’t mean your business has to be seasonal too. By adjusting your offer – for example, by adding waffles, which sell regardless of weather or season – your stand can perform well all year round.
Mobility of the sales point
The mobility of an ice cream point is another factor that can significantly improve sales. If you’re at the stage of deciding what kind of ice cream parlour you want to open – it’s worth considering a mobile version. A food truck or mobile parlour in the form of a cart or bike trailer are options that allow you to follow your customers and easily appear in places where ice cream sales will be satisfying.
Visibility and accessibility
If you choose a stationary ice cream parlour, you must make sure to attract customer attention. Your visibility and accessibility are two more factors that heavily influence sales success. Even if you’ve selected the best possible location, it won’t bring the desired effect if you don’t take care of signage, advertising, opening hours or the aesthetic appeal of the place.
Local market competition
Market research, analysing the competition and their offer – these are crucial steps on the road to success for any business, not just in the ice cream industry. If you plan to open your parlour in an area with high competition, think about how to stand out. Focus on quality – natural ice cream with a simple composition, full of rich flavour and an appetising appearance. Top-quality products will help you effortlessly outperform your competitors. Sometimes it’s a good idea to expand your offer with waffles or granitas – ideally natural, based on fruit juice (which helps maintain a cohesive offer and appear more authentic to customers).
So before you start producing soft serve or artisanal ice cream in your dream location, you’ll need to make several important decisions – your sales effectiveness and profits will depend on them. Choosing the right location, the type of ice cream parlour or café – mobile or stationary – and developing an appealing menu will be key. Don’t skip market research and competitor analysis, and be sure to consider the visibility, accessibility and attractiveness of your spot. As you can see, an attractive location means a lot – but it’s not everything. Take our advice and open an ice cream parlour that will be the realisation of your dream.
