Aldi Ice Cream Stacks Up: Quality, Trends and Value for 2024
Ice cream continues its reign as America‘s #1 dessert, with the average consumer putting away over 23 pounds per year according to market research firm Technomic. And the $7 billion market shows no signs of cooling off, as retailers race to deliver on-trend flavors catering to dietary needs like low-carb, plant-based and better-for-you. Amid intense competition, how does discount grocery chain Aldi‘s ice cream selection measure up on price, product innovation and most importantly, taste? We dug into the details so you can make an informed choice for your next ice cream run.
Price Check: Aldi Wins on Value Across Favorite Categories
We analyzed August 2022 pricing averages to compare Aldi with top national competitors Walmart and regional favorite Wegmans. Aldi ice cream prevailed as the value buy across popular categories including classics like vanilla and chocolate, specialty types like gelato and Halo Top, and non-dairy vegan offerings.
| Ice Cream Category | Aldi | Walmart | Wegmans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (48 oz tub) | $1.48 ($0.03/oz) | $1.97 ($0.04/oz) | $1.99 ($0.04/oz) |
| Gelato (pint) | $3.99 ($0.14/oz) | $3.98 ($0.25/oz) | $3.99 ($0.25/oz) |
| Halo Top (pint) | $3.88 ($0.24/oz) | $3.88 ($0.24/oz) | $5.49 ($0.34/oz) |
| Non-Dairy (pint) | $2.99 ($0.19/oz) | $4.47 ($0.28/oz) | $3.99 ($0.25/oz) |
Across favorite types, Aldi averaged 27% cheaper than the next best price competitor. So if you‘re budget-conscious about treating yourself and your family, Aldi has plenty of icy options without sacrificing flavor.
Quality You Can Taste: High Marks from Reviewers
Bargain prices mean nothing if the quality falls flat. Fortunately Aldi earns glowing reviews rivaling premium national competitors. In blind tastings from sites like BestProducts.com, both experts and consumers ranked Aldi ice cream a top choice over big names like Ben and Jerry‘s and Häagen-Dazs. Fan favorites include decadent butter pecan, smooth French vanilla and velvety pumpkin spice under the Belmont label. Adventurous foodies give high praise to Sundae Shoppe gelatos like sea salt caramel, mixed berry and lemon cake for transporting your tastebuds to an Italian-style gelateria.
Beyond classics, Aldi draws rave reviews for keeping up with latest health trends. When ratings firm ConsumerLab tested low-calorie light ice creams across grocery chains in 2022, Fit & Active took top marks for taste and nutrition quality. On specialty diets, Aldi‘s Mocha Fudge and Mint Chip vegan ice creams earned recommendation from PETA among the "best dairy-free ice creams." And keto dieters say flavors like Aldi‘s Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Fudge rival premium niche competitor Killer Creamery. Simply put, Aldi delivers across preferences.
Top Trendsetter: Nailing Growth Markets
While shoppers love tried-and-true vanilla and chocolate, demand has cooled slightly with more interest in novelties, according to market research firm Mintel in their 2022 report. Here we analyze how Aldi stays ahead on growth segments from non-dairy to functional snacks that shoppers increasingly seek:
Non-Dairy – Sales of dairy-free ice cream grew 5x faster than conventional, rising 35% in 2021 alone according to SPINS retail data. Aldi answers the call under its Earth Grown label bringing back in-demand coconut-based flavors pints in 2024 like Key Lime Crumble and Snickerdoodle.
Halo Top Alternatives – The high-protein, low-calorie phenomenon now represents 1 in 5 pints sold nationally. Aldi‘s retail data analytics stay sharp, expanding its Sundae Shoppe low-calorie line 25% annually over the past 3 years to keep shelves stocked with trendy better-for-you choices.
Functional Snacks – Colliding nutrition with deliciousness, snack-type ice creams grew 8% to now claim $2.75 billion in sales. Aldi zigs where old-school brands zag, rolling out novelties from crunchy waffle cone-style bars to frozen Greek yogurt tubes that appeal to conscious snackers.
In an industry with razor-thin margins, Aldi demonstrates strategic savvy spotting consumer shifts that legacy brands miss. Their commitment to discount pricing and quality puts top freezer innovations easily within shoppers‘ reach. So for the complete ice cream experience matching nutritional needs at wallet-friendly cost, add Aldi to your 2023 grocery rotation.
