The Swiss are known for cheese and chocolates. Ice cream too? Maybe less so but Geneva has been excited by the arrival of Häagen-Dazs's first shop here which opened this week.
Häagen-Dazs is owned by American giant General Mills whose European headquarter is in Nyon. The company has chosen Geneva to increase its awareness and branding across Switzerland.
Häagen-Dazs is highlighting its 'modernized' reputation of preparing their products in a clean environment using only 100 percent certified natural ingredients. Their production is done in neighboring France in the town of Arras.
Located at Rue du Berne 13, the turnover of the store is expected to be between 450,000 and 650,000 CHF per year, says a spokeswoman.
Around 15 years ago the average Swiss consumed some 7.3 liters of ice cream per year. However, this figure has fallen to less than six liters today. This mirrors a fall in consumption globally of ice cream as people turn to healthier products, despite the increasing global temperatures.
In reaction to this diminishing demand, companies are developing more natural ice creams with lower sugar content.
Häagen-Dazs was founded in 1961 by two Polish emigrants in New York. Their main competition comes from the likes of Unilever (Ben & Jerry's, Magnum, Gold Card, etc) and Nestle (Maxibon, Frisco, Mövenpick).
Source: Une célèbre enseigne de glaces débarque à Genève, Tribune de Geneve, 19th June 2019.
Picture: Häagen-Dazs
