Overview
- An Aldi‑commissioned poll of 2,000 parents published Thursday found the average ice‑cream cone costs £2.65 and modelled a six‑week cost of £47.70 per child based on three cones a week.
- One in three parents said they skip buying an ice cream for themselves and one in four admit they have told children the van has run out to avoid the cost.
- Prices vary by city, with Leeds highest at an average £2.86 per cone and 18% of Leeds parents reporting they sometimes pay at least £4 for a cone.
- Aldi has highlighted the poll while cutting prices on hundreds of family items as part of a wider £300m push and has launched a Summer Support Scheme offering free events and daily £50 shop giveaways.
- Local sellers have also been affected by the weather and demand, with at least one small vendor closing for two days during a heatwave, and the ice‑cream cost adds to wider evidence that families face higher holiday spending overall.