The frozen dessert landscape is shifting, and it’s shifting fast. Consumers are moving away from generic ice cream towards high-value, branded experiences that feel special, continental, and justifiably premium. For operators and retailers with gelato on their menu or in their freezer, the data says you’re in exactly the right place.
The market is surging
According to The Grocer (January/February 2026), consumer spend across frozen desserts is growing across every key segment, and gelato is leading the charge.
Gelato is currently meeting all consumer demands. It feels special. It feels continental. And critically, it feels justifiably premium, which means customers are happy to pay more for it. In a market where value perception is everything, gelato delivers an experience that standard ice cream simply can’t match.
The numbers that matter
The data from The Grocer paints a clear picture of where the growth is:
Small tubs represent the highest valued segment in tubbed ice cream, now worth £255.9m with a 14.9% value increase. This is significant for operators and retailers alike. Consumers are choosing smaller, more premium portions over larger, cheaper tubs. Quality over quantity.
Retail brand value is growing at 11.2%, significantly outperforming own-label growth of 5.5%. This tells us that customers are actively seeking out brands they trust when it comes to premium frozen desserts. They want a name they recognise, a product they can rely on, and an experience that feels worth it.
The handheld ice cream sector has reached a massive £1.1bn valuation, while the broader dessert ice cream category is worth £577m. These are not niche numbers. This is a mainstream market with serious scale, and premium is driving the growth.
What this means for your business
The message from the market is clear. Consumers want premium. They want quality they can taste. They want products that feel like an indulgence, not an afterthought.
Gelato sits perfectly in that sweet spot. It delivers the rich, creamy, flavour-forward experience that consumers are willing to pay a premium for, whether that’s a scoop served in a restaurant, a tub on a retail shelf, or a plant-based option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
At Dairy Den, this is exactly what we do. Every batch of our artisan gelato is crafted with fresh milk and cream, our sorbets are made with real fruit, and our award-winning plant-based pistachio gelato proes that dairy-free doesn’t mean flavour-free.
We innovate, we create, and we deliver the quality that this growing market demands.
The opportunity is now
The frozen dessert category is not just growing. It’s premiumising. Consumers are trading up, choosing quality over quantity, and actively seeking out products that deliver a genuine experience. Whether you’re an operator looking to elevate your dessert menu or a retailer looking to capitalise on the fastest-growing segments in the freezer aisle, gelato is your answer.
Want to talk about how Dairy Den can help you make the most of this opportunity? Get in touch with us at hello@dairyden.co.uk or call +44(0)208 683 2423.
