You may see more Starbucks® ice cream taking up freezer space shortly, thanks to a new distribution deal with Unilever – the same company that distributes Ben & Jerry’s®, Breyers®, Good Humor®, Klondike® and Popsicle®. Starbucks Coffee Company and Unilever have announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Starbucks ice cream in the U.S. and Canada. The agreement moves Starbucks, which first introduced its ice cream in 1996, more firmly into the $17 billion ice cream category.
‘Unilever’s industry-leading innovation and commitment to social responsibility with brands like Ben & Jerry’s are well-aligned with our values and vision for the business,’ says Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks Global Consumer Products, Starbucks Foodservice and Seattle’s Best Coffee. ‘This relationship will enable us to introduce exciting new products and extend the Starbucks Experience to a larger base of consumers.’
‘Ice cream is a core strategic category for Unilever, generating more than $6 billion in annual sales for us globally,’ said Peter Ter Kulve, Unilever Senior Vice President, Global Ice Cream. ‘Starbucks is recognized around the world for its high-quality coffee and innovative approach to products, and thus Starbucks-branded super-premium ice cream is a perfect complement to our portfolio. We look forward to working together to deliver a signature and unparalleled frozen dessert experience to consumers.’
Source: Businesswire®
