We all scream for ice cream, but …

Americans really do scream for real ice cream, according to new research from Mintel. In fact, nine in 10 consumers (89 percent) enjoyed a cool, creamy scoop in the past year. In comparison, only 59 percent ate novelties such as ice cream sandwiches or bars, 37 percent consumed sherbet and 34 percent ate frozen yogurt.   "Ice cream remains one of America's favorite treats," says David Morris, senior analyst at Mintel. "Slow churn and super-premium   innovations have brought exciting new variety to the taste and texture people know and love." Ice cream's familiarity is what drives sales, and Mintel forecasts the market for ice cream, frozen novelties, sherbet and frozen yogurt through all retail channels will grow 15 percent from 2008 to 2012. In 2007, ice cream accounted for nearly 60 percent of total sales from ice cream, frozen novelties, sherbet and frozen yogurt combined in food, drug and mass merchandiser channels, excluding Wal-Mart. Frozen novelties made up over a third of sales (36 percent), while sherbet and frozen yogurt accounted for just 5 percent. Behind those figures, however, it seems people may be cooling towards  old-fashioned ice cream. Though ice cream sales dominated the market in 2007, they were also 3.9 percent down from 2002 sales levels. The culprit is frozen novelties, up 7.2 percent from 2002 to 2007. "Convenience and healthy eating trends drive more people to frozen novelties to satisfy cravings," adds Morris. "These products are portable and portion-controlled. Plus, rapid new product development is giving consumers many new frozen novelty dessert choices." Morris believes that frozen novelties may be the key to continued   success. With today's health-conscious consumer looking for a balance between nutrition and indulgence, "options such as light, portion-controlled ice cream bars or lower calorie frozen yogurt are sure to resonate."    Mintel