Stop & Shop lowers prices on ice cream toppings

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. has extended its "Low Prices Every Day" program to cover ice cream cones and ice cream toppings such as sprinkles and fudge sauces.

The Quincy-based chain started the program in September 2006, and the program now includes such product categories as health and beauty care products, produce, condiments, pet foods, household supplies, and frozen foods.

This week, Stop & Shop said it will reduce prices on about 40 products that people typically serve with ice cream.

Alas, while prices may be lowered on sugar cones and butterscotch toppings, consumers may find it harder to catch a break on ice cream itself.

Just yesterday, Brigham's Ice Cream Inc., an Arlington company with a 94-year local history, cited "dramatic increases in the costs of some dairy products and key ice cream ingredients" as one reason why it is exploring "strategic alternatives," including a possible sale.

Stop & Shop operates 378 stores throughout much of the Northeast; its parent company is Royal Ahold NV, a Dutch food retailer.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)