Hot Queensland summer boosts beverage, frozen dessert sales

Frozen desserts, dairy dips and ground coffee were also among the 20 fastest growing grocery products in the region during this period, shows a new report from ACNielsen. Furthermore, these categories grew significantly more than the national average. The market research firm said that sales of sparkling juices rose 47.5 per cent during the 13 weeks to the end of February, while sports/energy drinks were up 35.1 per cent. Bottled water sales climbed 23.4 per cent, fruit/tea/coffee drinks were up 22.8 per cent and flavoured milk was up 18.8 per cent. The growth rates recorded for each of these categories were between one and 13 per cent higher in Queensland when compared to the national benchmark, said ACNielsen. Higher sales of dairy dips (up 25.1 per cent), condiments (up 20.3 per cent) and frozen/chilled desserts (up 16.7 per cent) underlined the increase in entertaining at home, probably around the barbeque. Other trends highlighted in the report included growing consumer demand for fresh products (chilled cookie dough, fresh soup, ground coffee), as well as a growing focus on health (low fat/sugar offerings within flavoured milk and soft drinks, yoghurt and tofu). All of these categories experienced significantly higher growth rates than the national benchmark, indicating that the trends in fresh and healthy products are more pronounced in Queensland compared to the other states. "Differences in Queenslanders' lifestyle compared to other states present an ideal opportunity for manufacturers in the grocery industry to explore the Queensland market further," said Mel Mackie, associate director of ACNielsen Australia's client service. "For example, Queensland would be an ideal test market to trial the launch of new products particularly in beverages and chilled and frozen categories."

Hot Queensland summer boosts beverage, frozen dessert sales

Sales of sparkling juices, bottled water and flavoured milk soared in Queensland this summer, as the Australian state experienced one of the longest and hottest summers on record.

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