Unilever looks to drones to bypass distribution sector

FMCG giant Unilever continues to invest in ways to sell its ice cream brands Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum directly to consumers. To this end, it is setting up a logistics network of around a thousand locations. The multinational also wants to explore the possibility of delivery by drone.

1,000 freezers

Unilever has increased its focus on direct sales of ice creams to consumers: it was already possible to order Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum products through Deliveroo and Uber Eats, but now the company wants to implement a global network of freezers. From these locations, delivery companies can take care of the distribution, Belgian newspaper De Tijd has learnt.

Meanwhile, Unilever has also established a partnership with Terra Drone Europe for the delivery of ice cream by drone in New York, as Foodbev reports. During an event for investors, a demonstration flight was already carried out: a special delivery box of Ben & Jerry’s was delivered to Unilever’s American site.

According to Terra Drone Europe, they will continue to work with Unilever on logistics, especially as the regulations surrounding drones are likely to become a lot more flexible in the future.