Product life cycle - the meltdown of ice cream vans

When was the last time you saw or heard an ice-cream van? Chances are it may have been a while ago, unless you were located somewhere at one of the declining number of trading locations where they are allowed or where the passing trade makes business worthwhile. The truth is, the ice cream trade appears to be in meltdown. The number of vans has fallen from around 20,000 (5 years ago) to approximately 5,000 vans now. A dying breed?

This article in the Independent charts the long-term decline of the ice cream van business. The ice cream van appears to be a product that is very much in the decline phase of its life cycle, with little indication that extension strategies (such as those suggested here in the Guardian) are working

Lots of relevant business studies material in the article which might prompt some productive discussion, including:

- the adverse impact of legislation on the ice cream van trade (health & safety, anti-obesity, carbon emissions)
- seasonal and unpredictable nature of demand
- intense price competition from the grocery supermarkets
- wider distribution & availability of frozen ice creams (e.g. petrol forecourts)
- the downturn in consumer confidence and disposable income

Is there any way back for the ice cream van, or is it slowly passing into history, just like doorstep milk delivery and the household daily newspaper delivery?