Complete Analysis of Everyone's Favorite "Store-Bought Ice Cream" ── The Overall Winner is, as Expected, !

Table of Contents

1. Research Overview and Ranking Overview

2. Comprehensive TOP10 In-Depth Review

3. Preferences Divided by Gender and Age Group Rankings

4. Dissecting the Reasons for 〈Yukimi Daifuku〉's Top Position

5. Marketing Strategies by Manufacturer

6. Three Major Trends in the Ice Cream Industry by 2025

7. Life Hacks to Enjoy "Coolness" with Ice Cream

8. Future Market Outlook and Summary
   
   

1. Research Overview and Ranking Overview

LINE Yahoo's research platform "LINE Research" conducted an internet survey from June 10-12, 2025, targeting 3,149 men and women aged 15 to 69 nationwide. The question allowed multiple answers on "favorite commercial ice cream available at supermarkets and convenience stores."

As a result, the overall 1st place was 'Yukimi Daifuku' (Lotte). With 'PARM' in 5th place and 'Pino' in 2nd, the strength of the regular top contenders and the rise of "mochi-type" ice cream became clear.LASISAPress Release & News Release Distribution Share No.1｜PR TIMES

2. Comprehensive TOP10 In-Depth Review

*Estimated sales are author's estimates from industry magazines and financial reports.

Detailed taste, development secrets, and packaging evolution timelines of each product will be individually explained in the latter half of the text.

3. Preferences Divided by Gender and Age Group Rankings

• Overall Female 1st: Haagen-Dazs Mini Cup (Support Rate 63%). About 70% among women in their 50s and 60s. The key is the small capacity with low guilt as a reward.Press Release & News Release Distribution Share No.1｜PR TIMES
  
  

• Overall Male 1st: Choco Monaka Jumbo / Vanilla Monaka Jumbo (Support Rate 54%). Overwhelmingly focused on "satiety" from the 30s onwards.Press Release & News Release Distribution Share No.1｜PR TIMES
  
  

• In the top 5 for teens, and are included, with the points being the ability to drink with one hand even while studying and the cost performance of large capacity. For men in their 60s, ranks 2nd, highlighting the nostalgia unique to the generation.
  
  
  

4. Dissecting the Reasons for 〈Yukimi Daifuku〉's Top Position

1. Temperature Sensitivity Technology
   Adjusted the mochi flour composition of the skin to achieve flexibility that can be bitten even at -18℃.
   
   

2. Pioneer of "Winter Ice Cream" Culture
   Since its release, it has developed "kotatsu × ice cream" advertisements. Long seller brand building that does not see a drop in sales during winter.
   
   

3. SNS Appeal × Limited Flavor Strategy
   Limited-time flavors such as "Otsukimi Daifuku" released every autumn excite the younger generation.
   
   

In the survey, it ranked 1st among both male and female teens. The factor for its top position is its ability to capture not only family consumption but also "solo demand."LASISA

5. Marketing Strategies by Manufacturer

Lotte

• Creating "Stock Consumption" with Household Large Box (9 pieces of Yukimi)

• Accelerating Plastic Reduction with Paper Spoons Included Since Last Year

Morinaga Milk Industry / Morinaga Confectionery

• Pino Stimulates Collecting Desire with "Limited Assortment × Stickers" Strategy

• Choco Monaka Appeals to Men in Their 30s with TV Anime Collaborations

Meiji

• Dual Positioning of "Little Luxury" and "Cost Performance" with PARM and Essel

• Improving Profit Margins by Focusing Raw Materials on Bar Ice Despite Rising Dairy Prices

Haagen-Dazs Japan

• Hit Success with Senior Demand through Limited-Time "Japanese Material Series"

• Completed Paper Lid Conversion by Spring 2025, Reducing CO₂ Emissions by 8%
  
  

6. Three Major Trends in the Ice Cream Industry by 2025

1. High Added Value × Smaller Capacity
   Compared to the 1990s, the average content per piece decreased by 13%. The unit price increased from 120 yen to 198 yen.
   
   

2. "Guilt-Free" Material Needs
   High-protein ice cream derived from milk protein and products with 50% less sugar grew by 23% year-on-year.
   
   

3. Sustainable Packaging
   Successful trials of "Monaka Packaging" from plastic to paper. Major five companies are setting joint standards in anticipation of the 2027 legal revision.
   
   

7. Life Hacks to Enjoy "Coolness" with Ice Cream

• Techniques for Carrying Without Melting: Prevent surface condensation with ice packs + aluminum sheets and a 5-minute temperature adjustment.

• Half-Thawed Recipe: Microwave Choco Monaka Jumbo for 30 seconds for a "Crispy and Melty" texture.

• SNS Appeal Arrangement: "Petit Pop" with Pino × Commercial Spray Chocolate.
  
  

8. Future Market Outlook and Summary

With an increase in extremely hot days, the "ice confection + milk fat" category is expected to grow as an intermediary product for heatstroke prevention and as a delicacy. Despite rising costs due to yen depreciation and dairy price increases, "Little Luxury" and "Health Functionality" are likely to continue expanding the market. Industry sources also suggest that a new functional ice cream surpassing Yukimi Daifuku's "warm-cold hybrid experience" may appear as early as 2026.

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