Parents will spend nearly £50 per child on ice creams over the summer holidays, with one in 10 paying as much as £4 a cone from an ice cream van, according to a poll of 2,000 parents.
Average ice cream price and regional variation
The average price of an ice cream is now £2.65, with 85% of parents believing the days of the 99p whippy are over. The most expensive city for ice cream is Leeds, where the average price is £2.86, followed by London (£2.82), Bristol and Manchester (both £2.80). In Leeds, 18% of parents report paying at least £4 each time they buy a cone, the highest proportion of any UK city.
Total cost over summer
The average child will eat three ice creams a week over the six-week summer break, bringing the total to £47.70. To manage costs, one in three parents have skipped buying an ice cream for themselves, and a quarter have told their child the ice cream van is sold out to avoid the expense.
Aldi's support for families
The research was commissioned by Aldi, which surprised families this week with a ‘Summer Cool Down ice cream van’ in London giving out free cones. Julie Ashfield, Aldi’s chief commercial officer, said: “Summer holidays are becoming increasingly expensive for families, with the cost of everyday treats and activities quickly adding up. With so many families budgeting months in advance and worrying about costs, it's never been more important that everyday essentials and family favourites remain affordable.” She added: “That's why we're committed to keeping prices low on popular summer products as we know it can make a real difference, helping families enjoy the holiday period without having to compromise on the moments that matter most.”
Additional summer costs
Research shows families spend an extra £200 on average over the summer compared to term time. Weekly grocery bills rise by £49, while parents expect to spend £134 on dining out, £105 on holiday clubs and £132 on day trip tickets. At-home activities like arts and crafts cost £70 on average over the break. Consequently, a third of parents are concerned about the cost, 30% budget in advance, and 21% start planning as early as January. Meanwhile, 38% of parents want to give their children the best summer possible but feel restricted by what they can afford.
Aldi's price cuts and support scheme
To help families, Aldi has reduced prices on more than 300 family favourites as part of a £300 million investment to lower prices on over 1,000 products this year. It has also launched a Summer Support Scheme, giving away £50 shops to families every day throughout July and August.
