1 hr ago
India’s Ice Cream Bars Turn Scoops Into Experiences
Ice cream shops in India are becoming places where people spend time, not just places to buy a quick treat.
Customers can choose unusual flavours, special cones and toppings.
Some shops also offer sundaes, cakes, shakes and other desserts.
Jaatre serves vegan ice cream in coconut shells and uses terracotta tubs for larger orders.
Scoop Room has colourful interiors, homemade cones and sauces, and a pet-friendly outdoor area.
Zimero offers flavours such as goat cheese and blueberry, filter coffee and dark chocolate pistachio.
Big brands like Naturals Ice Cream and Baskin-Robbins are also creating larger dessert experiences.
Delivery services still serve quick, inexpensive purchases, while ice cream bars focus on premium products and time spent in the shop.
Indian consumers are increasingly visiting dedicated ice cream bars, gelaterias and parlours instead of buying ice cream only for takeaway.
Jaatre, Scoop Room and Zimero are using vegan products, unusual flavours, in-house ingredients and distinctive serving formats to create premium experiences.
Scoop Room opened in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar with 24 flavours, in-house cones and sauces, and plans for further expansion.
Established brands including Naturals Ice Cream and Baskin-Robbins are expanding parlours into broader dessert destinations with sundaes, shakes and other offerings.
Specialist companies such as Iceberg Organic Ice Creams and Walko Food Company are planning more outlets and wider distribution in cities and high-traffic locations.
- Who
- Indian ice cream brands, established dessert companies and newer premium concepts, including Jaatre, Scoop Room, Zimero, Naturals Ice Cream and Baskin-Robbins.
- What
- The ice cream sector is shifting from impulse purchases and takeaway sales toward dedicated, experiential ice cream bars and parlours.
- Where
- Across India, with examples in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Gurugram, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune.
- When
- The shift is occurring today; Scoop Room opened in August, while several companies have announced expansion plans for the current financial year and beyond.
- Why
- Consumers are seeking novel flavours, cleaner ingredients, premium formats and places where they can sit, relax and enjoy ice cream.
Convenience and Impulse Purchases
Experience and Premiumization
How consumers buy ice cream
Convenience and Impulse Purchases
Q-commerce and takeaway outlets address impulse purchases and low-value consumption, according to Zimero.
Experience and Premiumization
Dedicated ice cream bars and parlours encourage customers to sit, socialize and spend more time with the product.
What customers prioritize
Convenience and Impulse Purchases
Convenience-oriented purchases focus on quickly obtaining an affordable frozen dessert.
Experience and Premiumization
Premium outlets emphasize unusual flavours, cleaner ingredients, elaborate formats, toppings and immersive store designs.
Role of healthier options
Convenience and Impulse Purchases
Sugar-free and lower-calorie products are gaining traction among consumers seeking different nutritional choices.
Experience and Premiumization
Zimero says these options meet a different need from the indulgent experience offered by premium ice cream bars.
Key facts
- Scoop Room
- Opened in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar with 24 flavours, in-house waffle cones and sauces, and plans for two more outlets this year.
- Naturals Ice Cream
- Has grown from one Juhu store in 1984 to 170 outlets across India.
- Baskin-Robbins India
- Operates more than 1,100 standalone parlours across over 300 cities in India and the SAARC region.
- Zimero
- Has stores in Connaught Place and Gurugram, plus 22 dark stores across Delhi-NCR and other key cities.
- Iceberg Organic Ice Creams
- Currently has nine outlets across Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada, with six more planned in south India.
- Walko Food Company
- Has expanded its retail presence to more than 21 stores, with additional launches planned.
Quotes
Sumant Bhargava
Chef de Cuisine at Zimero
“It’s no longer just about a quick takeaway, but an experience they want to sit back and savour”
financialexpress.com
“We’ve become curious consumers in almost every category”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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