It looks like gelato will be one of summer 2013’s hottest frozen dessert trends. Why? It possesses so many of the attributes that today’s consumers are seeking from foods and beverages. With years of trend tracking, along with reviews of lots of consumer research, I do believe the time is finally right for gelato in the United States.
Today’s consumers are looking for permission to indulge. When it comes to frozen desserts, the “indulgent” attribute must be a given. In other words, frozen desserts MUST be yummy. They must be indulgent. Anything less, and they are a chore to consume. One should make no sacrifices when consuming a frozen dessert
What's Gelato?
And there’s the key word: gelato. Italian for ice cream, gelato is one of the hottest trends in the U.S. frozen dessert category—at both retail and in foodservice. This is because gelato appeals to today’s consumer looking for an authentic, simple and clean label. Gelato tells a story. It’s a frozen dessert that consumers can connect to…a very important attribute in today’s marketplace.
Authentic gelato is hand-crafted in small batches and typically made fresh daily for on-the-go consumption. The base product is simple: milk, cream, sweetener, and sometimes pasteurized eggs. The gelato-maker then blends in fruit—and lots of it—or chocolate, nuts or other sweet treats. The beauty of the small batch is that the gelato-maker can be creative with flavoring ingredients. This keeps the consumer interested and coming back for more.
There is no standard of identity for gelato in the U.S., which provides a lot of room for creativity. Many of today’s consumers consider gelato a premium product—an indulgence. It’s a frozen dessert they will pay a little more for because of the story behind the product. And here’s a bonus: the churning process that doesn't flow over results in a very rich, creamy, dense product that contains less fat than traditional ice cream.
A Review of the U.S. Marketplace
In April, the Haagen-Dazs brand will start rolling out 14-ounce containers of gelato at a suggested retail price of $4.79. Select flavors will also be available in 3.6-ounce cups for a suggested retail price of $1.49. 
The launch of Haagen-Dazs Gelato will be supported by a full marketing mix including television, print and online advertising, as well as public relations, point-of-sale materials, a consumer promotion and a strong digital strategy. The company wants to communicate the story behind its gelato in order to connect with consumers.
According to Cady Behles, Haagen-Dazs brand manager, “Leisurely strolls through the piazza at dusk, an appreciation of centuries-old craftsmanship and a love of food that borders on obsession, these are the essential Italian moments we had in mind when creating Haagen-Dazs Gelato.”
An important element is how the ingredients tell a story: vanilla from Madagascar, coffee from Brazil, sea salt from San Francisco, cherries from Oregon and the lemons come all the way from South Africa. These ingredients and more are used in the seven Italian-inspired flavors.
The success of Minneapolis-based Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto is also testament to the fact that consumers appreciate the concept of gelato. The company uses its package and website to communicate that it uses only the finest natural and raw ingredients, carefully sourced locally and from around the world. All Talenti flavors are 100% natural and crafted with the same uncompromising commitment to artisanal quality that has distinguished authentic Italian gelato for centuries, according to the company.
At the 2013 Natural Products Expo West Conference in early March, Talenti announced a re-branding effort that modernizes the look and feel of the product, as well as the introduction of four new flavors. The new packaging and flavors will begin to roll-out to retailers nationwide in April 2013.
Talenti’s new logo and typeface support the brand’s simplicity and playfulness, while also capturing the inevitable smile that comes with each spoonful of Talenti. The “smiling spoon” logo and updated tagline, “Happier spoons,” will further remind consumers of Talenti’s exceptional quality and all-natural, carefully sourced ingredients.
What really makes Talenti products stand out in retail freezers is their clear plastic container. Consumers eat with their eyes before they ever smell or taste. How a food or beverage looks influences craveability and acceptance.
Here’s a real-life example. Almost every afternoon, after shutting down my computer, before I begin my afternoon of picking up sons from school and taking them to their after-school activities, I “indulge” on a frozen dessert. I am sold by the brands that provide me permission to indulge in terms of less sugar, less fat, more protein, and a decent dose of fruit. Gelato has the ability to do all that and more!
Lets Connect!
Donna Berry
Food Scientist, Consultant
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