WHERE IS BEN & JERRY'S STORE?

During my college years, Ben & Jerry's ice cream was a special treat we all looked forward to.?We'd spend time talking, catching up on the latest news, and, of course, savoring the delicious flavors.?Every scoop was a #memorable experience that brought us closer together. I still have a special fondness for Ben & Jerry's ice cream because it reminds me of those days.?But when I came back home to Saudi Arabia, I was surprised to see that Baskin Robbins dominated the ice cream market.

Competition in any industry can be shaped by five major forces. The first is the threat of new entrants. New entrants can affect the competition of the industry in a number of ways, from increasing competition to lowering prices. The second force is the bargaining power of buyers. Buyers have the ability to influence prices and product quality. The third force is the bargaining power of suppliers. Suppliers can influence the cost of materials and the quality of the products. The fourth force is the threat of substitute products. Substitute products can offer a similar product or service at a lower cost, thus providing an alternative to the original product. The final force is the intensity of rivalry among existing firms. This force can determine the pricing strategies, product development strategies, and marketing strategies of firms. All five of these forces play an important role in shaping competition in any industry.

Moreover, the weather in Saudi Arabia, for the better part, is hot, and the demand for ice cream is likely to remain strong. Manufacturers are investing in the category to introduce new flavors and varieties of ice cream, including single-portion, bulk, and unpackaged ice cream. Unpackaged ice cream is becoming increasingly popular with the opening of stores like Marble Slabs and Baskin-Robbins total market share of ice cream in Saudi Arabia by brand Fig 1

with expected growth projections up to Y 2027. Fig 2,

The growing trend of healthy eating has also led to an increased demand for plant-based ice cream. All of these factors are expected to contribute to significant retail volume growth for the ice cream category over the forecast period. It is clear that Baskin-Robbins has a strong presence in Jeddah Fig 3,?

But it is a shame that Ben & Jerry's is missing out on this opportunity. If Ben & Jerry's opened a store in Jeddah, they could tap into the loyal customer base and gain a much larger market share, which would benefit both #Unilever and the city. The only place you can find Ben & Jerry's ice cream is in freezers, and even then, the choices are limited in Fig 4, Fig 5.

Disclaimer

The following article is a product of independent thought and bears the opinions and perspectives of the author alone. It is important to acknowledge that the views expressed here are not influenced by any form of payment, sponsorship, or vested interests. This piece solely aims to provide readers with an objective analysis and subjective insights based on the writer's personal experiences, expertise, and research.