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“Cuteness Takes the Cake” with Rich’s Launch of Hello Kitty® Ice Cream Cake

March 6, 2015

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 6, 2015 – To the delight of Hello Kitty® fans across the country, birthday parties and everyday celebrations can now be enjoyed with a one-of-a-kind ice cream cake featuring the adorable ambassador of friendship who has been known and loved for more than 40 years.

Rich Products Corporation has introduced an officially licensed Hello Kitty Ice Cream Cake designed as a perfect likeness of the supercute character, right down to the trademark bow she wears over her left ear. Fashioned in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head and with all her distinctive facial features, the special Hello Kitty Ice Cream Cake is made with premium-quality vanilla ice cream and loaded with fun and delicious confetti sprinkles inside and out.

The Hello Kitty Ice Cream Cake can be found in the ice cream cake freezer case in the in-store bakery or freezer aisle. The suggested retail price for the 52-fluid-ounce Hello Kitty Ice Cream Cake is $21.99.

“Rich’s is all about adding flavor to your special occasions, and for young girls, celebrating with this yummy Hello Kitty Ice Cream Cake is a way to remember fun times had growing up,” said Rich’s Courtney Erickson, Associate Marketing Manager, Customer Shopper Marketing, In-Store Bakery & Deli Division. “As one of the all-time favorite characters of young girls – and also countless women – around the world, Hello Kitty has always been a friend to everyone and we are pleased to add a cake featuring the beloved pop icon to our portfolio of offerings.”

Erickson said Rich’s went straight to the experts for input on the design of the Hello Kitty Ice Cream Cake. “We spent a lot of time listening to kids’ opinions,” she explained. “The children we talked to made it clear that they wanted a cake with some fun shape to it, which inspired this appealing, attention-getting look that everyone is sure to like. With its rich vanilla ice cream taste and colorful party sprinkles, this Hello Kitty cake will be a welcome guest for any occasion.”

The Hello Kitty Phenomenon

Created in 1974 to inspire happiness, friendship and fun, Hello Kitty has grown into a global marketing phenomenon worth approximately $7 billion a year. The fictional character, depicted as an anthropomorphic white Japanese bobtail cat with a large bow, was created by Yuko Shimizu and is produced by the Japanese company Sanrio®, a global lifestyle brand.

“Hello Kitty is an extremely strong brand that we believe is a great fit with Rich’s values, culture and products,” Erickson stated. “She has fostered a unique emotional connection with her ever-loyal audiences and has clearly influenced more than one generation in an impressive, positive way.”

Originally aimed at the pre-adolescent female market, the Hello Kitty product line has broadened to also attract adult consumers. With more than 22,000 products, Sanrio’s Hello Kitty sales in North America now exceed $1 billion annually. Among girls ages 6-11, Hello Kitty consistently ranks as a “favorite character.” Her awareness among females in North America measures 88 percent for ages 6-11, 94 percent for ages 18-34, and 87 percent for all ages. Forty-six percent of girls ages 7-10 and 31 percent of females ages 18-34 in North America own Hello Kitty products.

There are more than 19 million followers of official Hello Kitty profiles on social media, as well as thousands of additional fans on unofficial sites. By comparison, fashion doll Barbie™ has approximately 13 million-plus official followers.

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