Ben & Jerry’s to scoop more in the UK

“We’re experiencing double-digit growth in the UK. People are still buying luxury affordable ice cream such as Ben & Jerry’s. There is a trend towards fair trade, healthy and sustainable food and that’s exactly what we are. It could also be that people are turning to comfort eating as a way to escape the misery of the economy,” Greenfield said.

Ben & Jerry’s currently runs a mixture of managed franchised and co-run operations in the UK, with a total of nearly 300 sites including concessions at Millie’s Cookies units. Greenfield said: “We’ll increase the number when the opportunity arises. We’re also looking at teaming up with other businesses to form joint ventures for individual stores, like we have with Millie’s Cookies.”

Greenfield is leading a ‘Join Our Core’ competition to encourage European entrepreneurs with ideas for sustainable businesses. Winners will get around £8,000, as well as their name on a new Ben & Jerry’s flavour in 2013.

For the full story, see Ben & Jerry have recession licked with UK expansion.