The Ice Cream Industry in Europe - Dissertation Example

Many workers have subjected particular aspects of the question to scholastic scrutiny but a comprehensive market survey has not been found so far. The databases of Euromonitor and Mintel have been of invaluable help. The countries chosen are representative of the European Union at large – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and the UK. Only the eastern bloc has been left out due to the non-availability of the relevant primary sources. These nations have well-established ice cream traditions and have unique consumption patterns that show a clear divergence in the consumer preferences.

Ice cream is perhaps one of the defining food items of our times as it is one of the only desserts that are enjoyed by people of all nations, races, and cultures; making it one of the most familiar frozen food items in the world. The modern Ice cream industry has responded to the insatiable consumer craze for ice cream by mass producing them in the infinitude of flavors and combinations. Supplementary to the growth of the market for Ice cream, the technology engaged in its production, distribution, and retention has improved enabling the creation of niche markets targeting customers in previously unthought-of geographical locations and seasons.

Any ice cream is defined by a multitude of factors some of which are industrial in nature but most are of a textural character that is directly perceptible to the consumer. The focus of our research is to identify those parameters that fundamentally affect consumer satisfaction levels while consuming ice creams. It is needless to say that these parameters go on to determine consumer purchasing behavior.