Pest Factor Analysis (Environmental)

"Shorter Summers Slow Ice Cream Sales Growth"

http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/shorter-summers-slows-ice-cream-sales-growth-113102800647_1.html

Ice Cream has been seen to lower sales growth during the summer months due to bad summers. Studies shown in this article states that the shorter the summer; the lesser the sales of ice cream. This plays a huge impact on Cold Stones as it will provide them with threats. One of the threats would be the loss of consumers. Since the summer months have shorten, Cold Stones might encounter the loss of customers who are craving or desiring this cold treat, hence a slow growth in sales which will allow their profit/revenue to decline. This not only will affect their market share in the economy but might also require Cold Stones to redeem themselves, and will need to spend more money to further advertise and market to the general public, persuading them to purchase their products.

Pest Factor Analysis (Technological)

"Ben and Jerry's Nails it with New Core Ice Cream Flavors

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/ben-jerrys-core-ice-cream_n_4854680.html


Ben and Jerry has recently come up with a new, witty ice cream feature within their range of products, which are four new flavours of "Ben & Jerry's Cores". This features a core centre of either fudge, caramel or raspberry jam running down the middle of the ice cream pint. Ben & Jerry's Cores allow the consumers to get two flavours in one pint, along with a filling centre in the entire container, top to bottom. This new combination of flavours in one pint developed from Ben & Jerry's gives Cold Stones a few threats. One of which is the competition between them. Since Ben & Jerry's and Cold Stones Creamery are close competitors, the new feature of their ice cream might allow customers to shift from one brand to another. The idea not only gives Ben & Jerry's a competitive advantage, but a unique selling point that Cold Stones Creamery does not have. This threat might impact Cold Stones' brand image and sales if they lose customer loyalty through this.

Spiegel, Alison. "Ben & Jerry's Nails It With New Core Ice Cream Flavors." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/ben-jerrys-core-ice-cream_n_4854680.html>.

Pest Factor Analysis (Sociocultural)

"Kids Tasting Ice Cream For the First Time Are Completely Delicious (VIDEO)"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/kids-tasting-ice-cream-for-first-time_n_1915939.html

Some of us are lucky enough to have tasted ice cream, however there are some children who have never experienced this cold, sweet treat. This article, talks about the joys of eating ice cream for the very first time, reliving through a the most delicious childhood moments. Evidently, there is a wide range of demographics that accept and enjoy ice cream, however, the fact that most kids enjoy this treat means there are opportunities hindered within this for Cold Stones Creamery. If children enjoy ice cream, Cold Stones can seize the opportunity to market to children, whether it'd be colourful posters or unique flavours, they can grasp onto these young consumers. However, one of the potential threats this might have for Cold Stones, is that the parents of young children would not want their kids to be associated with unhealthy treats, like ice cream. Therefore, Cold Stones will need to develop a marketing scheme or strategy that will satisfy health-concious parents as well as children.


Mustich, Emma. "Kids Tasting Ice Cream For The First Time Are Completely Delicious (VIDEO)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/kids-tasting-ice-cream-for-first-time_n_1915939.html>.

Pest Factor Analysis (Political)

Cold Stones Products

Cold Stone's Product Range

Cold Stone's product range is quite broad, as you can customize your own ice cream to your liking. Ranging from vanilla to mint to strawberry flavors for customers to mix along with toppings. Cold Stones implicate product items that are unique to each customer, however still covering a wide variety of options for them to choose from. This allows them to satisfy their market objective of being a top producer and seller of premium ice cream as they not only have attracted a wide variety of customers, but to have a huge range of different products can enable them to decrease risk, and increase their profit or marketshare. Another objective that Cold Stones has targeted their goals at is to satisfy all their customers, from singing employees to their customization of flavors unique to each individual. The product range provided from Cold Stones will definitely allow them to do so. 

Cold Stones' Product Life Cycle Extension Strategies

There are several ways Cold Stones could extend their product life cycle:

1. Advertising: to gain new customers or remind customers what Cold Stones is capable of
2. Price reduction: to attract customers
3. Adding value: add new features to the current product (e.g: "topping of the day")
4. Explore new markets: expanding abroad
5. New packaging: redesign the old packaging; or even adding subtle changes in the cups/spoons

Shown above is my Boston Matrix. It illustrates the different products that function in a low or high market share and growth. 

Pest Factor Analysis (Environmental)

PEST FACTOR ANALYSIS: Heatwave Boosts Ice Cream Makers after 2012 Washout

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/29/heawave-ice-cream-sales

Pest factor: Environmental

As summer reached its peak in the first two week of July, so did ice cream sales. The sunny, hot weather has induced people to demand for ice cream, and "ice-lollies". Yet surprising, popular brands and lines of ice cream warehouses who have stocked up in preparation for sudden spikes in demand are growing scarce. "As fast as we are supplying ice creams, retailers are running out," one supplier told the industry trade journal The Grocer.

Evidently, this can be opportunity and a threat to Cold Stones Creamery. Due to the high demand of ice-cream, Cold Stones will increase greatly in terms of sales, earning revenue/income. However, stated in the article, many popular ice cream brands are running low on ice cream stock. Hence, Cold Stones must stock up more than enough ice cream to provide and sell for customers. If they fail to meet the this standard, it will threaten the customer satisfaction and brand image.


Butler, Sarah. "Heatwave Boosts Ice-cream Makers after 2012 Washout." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 30 July 2013. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. 
<http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/29/heawave-ice-cream-sales>.

Pest Factor Analysis (Technological)

PEST FACTOR ANALYSIS: Machine Creates Custom Ice Cream on Demand

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37141382/#.Uo4ATkI_bVU

PEST Factor: Technological

The MooBella Ice Creamery created a new machine that allows users to customize premium ice cream in 40 seconds, requiring no refrigeration at all. Their automating process and usage of 100% all-natural dairy ingredients markets not only as a cost-effective strategy for selling and purchasing, but it also promotes carbon-friendly ice cream with less detrimental factors to the environment, which emphasizes on the business' corporate social responsibility, possibly increasing customer loyalty as well as overall brand reputation. This new technological invention poses a threat to Cold Stones Creamery, as they will be facing a potential competition. Once customers adapt and prefer the ice cream texture or quality of MooBella's new machine, Cold Stones Creamery's brand image may decline which might decrease their profit margin.

"Machine Creates Custom Ice Cream on Demand." Msnbc.com. N.p., 13 May 2010. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37141382/#.Uo4ATkI_bVU>.