Chinese consumers will soon be able to buy our award-winning Tip Top Ice cream online through Alibaba’s Tmall.com. Fonterra is set to start trialling e-commerce sales with a 2L tub range coming in six flavours, namely Hokey Pokey, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry and Neapolitan.
“China is Fonterra’s biggest market and this trial is a small way we can add to our offering there,” said Kim Ballinger, director of Tip Top, according to whom this test will be critical to understanding what the Chinese market needs and wants. Mintel data shows that, between 2008 and 2014, the overall market value of ice cream sales in the country raised by 90 percent, yet the take-home ice cream segment remains a niche that can be filled. Fonterra will keep on focusing on what makes the product unique.
“Our research tells us that Chinese consumers want to know they are buying the same product that we eat in New Zealand. The product, packaging and flavours available in China are identical to what we sell in New Zealand, which will help us give consumers assurances around quality and authenticity.”
