When the British summer winds down, many ice cream sellers pack away their machines and resign themselves to waiting for sunnier days. But does the end of the traditional ice cream season really mean the end of your profits? Not at all. With the right mix of creativity, clever stock management, and smart packaging choices, you can keep customers coming back long after the sun disappears.
At Takeaway Supplies, we know that the key to year-round sales is adapting your menu and presentation to suit the season. Whether you run an ice cream van, dessert parlour, or takeaway café, there are plenty of opportunities to extend your sales and make the most of your existing products.
Let’s explore some practical ways to keep ice cream relevant beyond summer, while also adding complementary treats to your menu.
1. Transitioning from Summer to Autumn and Winter
As soon as the weather cools, customer habits shift. People want warmth and comfort. That doesn’t mean ice cream is completely off the menu – instead, think about how you can reposition your products.
- Warm desserts with ice cream: Pair brownies, waffles, or crêpes with a scoop of ice cream. Hot and cold combinations are irresistible, especially in autumn.
- Seasonal flavours: Swap bright summer favourites like strawberry and mango for indulgent winter flavours such as chocolate fudge, salted caramel, or cinnamon.
- Festive specials: Create themed sundaes or shakes for Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Christmas. Customers love novelty items tied to the season.
2. Don’t Let Ice Cream Stock Go to Waste
If you’ve stocked up for summer, you may find yourself with tubs of ice cream, toppings, and syrups that won’t sell as quickly once the weather turns. Instead of letting them sit in the freezer, use them in different ways:
- Milkshakes: A year-round favourite. Blend ice cream with syrups or fruit to create indulgent shakes, which can be sold even in colder months.
- Hot chocolate toppers: A scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream can turn a standard hot chocolate into a luxury dessert drink. Add cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles for extra appeal.
- Dessert boxes: Package up ice cream with brownies, doughnuts, or cookies in takeaway containers for at-home indulgence.
By cross-selling and diversifying, you’ll use up stock while still keeping margins healthy.
3. Add Hot Drinks to Your Menu
Nothing says autumn like a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate. If you’re not already serving hot drinks, now is the time to start. The good news? Takeaway Supplies offers a huge range of packaging to make it easy.
- Coffee syrups: From classic vanilla and hazelnut to indulgent gingerbread and caramel, syrups can turn an ordinary latte into something memorable.
- Hot chocolates: Offer luxury hot chocolate loaded with cream, sauces, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of strawberry syrup for something unique.
- Seasonal specials: Pumpkin spice lattes, gingerbread hot chocolates, and festive mochas are proven winners.
By adding hot drinks, you not only extend your season but also increase your average spend per customer.
4. Rethink Your Packaging for the Season
Presentation is everything, especially in colder months when customers often order takeaway or delivery. The right packaging keeps products fresh, warm, and visually appealing.
- Takeaway tubs: Perfect for treats like brownies, churros, or cakes.
- Insulated cups: Keep hot drinks warmer for longer while showcasing your branding.
- Dessert boxes: A great way to package up mixed sweet treats for sharing at home.
At Takeaway Supplies, we provide high-quality, food-safe packaging that makes your desserts look as good as they taste – giving customers more reason to order again.
5. Create Combo Deals and Upsells
One of the easiest ways to boost revenue is by encouraging customers to buy more. Upselling works especially well with desserts and drinks.
- Bundle deals: Pair a hot chocolate with a slice of cake, or a coffee with a cookie.
- Dessert and drink combos: Offer a brownie and milkshake deal, or waffle with a coffee.
- Family sharers: Large tubs of ice cream, boxes of doughnuts, or multiple milkshakes make great family-night treats.
By packaging products together, you create value for the customer while increasing your own profit per sale.
6. Market Your Menu for the Colder Months
Even the best menu won’t sell unless customers know about it. Use the change in season as a chance to refresh your marketing:
- Social media posts: Share photos of steaming hot drinks, indulgent desserts, and festive specials.
- Seasonal menus: Print or post a new menu highlighting autumn and winter products.
- Loyalty offers: Encourage repeat custom by offering discounts on bundled drinks and desserts.
A simple “Cosy Treats for Cold Nights” campaign can spark interest and keep customers engaged until next summer.
7. Why Extending the Season Matters
Running an ice cream business in the UK can feel like you’re at the mercy of the weather. But by extending your offering, you take control of your revenue and keep your business sustainable year-round.
With the right mix of ice cream, milkshakes, hot drinks, and indulgent desserts, you can keep customers coming back whether it’s July or January. And with Takeaway Supplies providing the syrups, toppings, and packaging you need, it’s never been easier to adapt.
The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of sales. By repurposing your ice cream stock, adding hot drinks, rethinking packaging, and offering seasonal specials, you can keep profits flowing through autumn and winter.
At Takeaway Supplies, we’re here to support UK vendors with everything from slush and milkshake syrups to takeaway tubs and coffee cups. If you want to stay ahead of the seasons, make sure you’re stocked up and ready to impress your customers all year round.