This Week in Retail: Seafood Reigns Number One in Retail Ads This Week

Grocers' protein promotions this week included more seafood, which claimed the top spot in retail buying opportunities at about 30%. This is up from 27.3% the week prior and 25% this time last year.

The uptick in seafood featuring might be attributed to increased marketing campaigns for National Seafood Month. Organizations such as NOAA Fisheries utilize this month as a time to educate consumers about the U.S. seafood industry while sharing creative recipes to integrate fish, shrimp, and more into mealtimes and even tailgating parties. 

Retailers widely featured 16-20 raw shrimp this week at an average of $7.78 per pound. Down 7.5% from the week prior, this attractive price point could draw more consumers to the seafood case. 

The regional price spread for Atlantic Salmon boneless fillet ranged from $7.66 per pound to $8.86 per pound, generally down from week-ago levels but up on average from 2020. In the fresh/frozen fillets complex, tilapia averaged $4.99 per pound, down 8.6% from the week prior and 6.2% below 2020... 

This Week in Retail: How the Ads Stack Up for Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is a stone’s throw away and retailers are spotlighting popular grilling items as we approach the final weeks of summer. 

Beef reigns number one in circular ad space this week with 28.6 percent of total feature volume, followed by seafood with 25.5 percent. Pork surpasses chicken for third with 24.3 percent. Chicken claimed 17.1 percent.

In the beef complex, 80% lean ground beef is on feature for an average of $3.19 per pound, down from $3.25 per pound last year. 80% lean ground beef is the only item in the beef complex displaying lower YOY feature prices this week. Top round London Broil, a favorable choice for grillling, is featured at $4.16 per pound, 27.2% above a year ago. The steak complex currently averages $8.70 per pound, nearly one dollar more per pound versus last year. T-bone and top sirloin are heavily advertised this week and their feature prices average about 23% and 8%, respectively, above 2020...

A Look at Protein Demand as the Six-Week Lenten Period Begins 

As the six-week Lenten period leadup to Easter begins, foodservice and retail are catering to those who cannot eat meat at least one day a week. As SeafoodNews reported, restaurants like Bojangles, White Castle, and Quizno’s are just a few offering seafood items for a limited time.

Last year, Popeyes brought in a limited time Buttermilk Biscuit Shrimp offering for Lent. To switch things up this year, Popeyes introduced a new contender in the "Chicken Sandwich Wars," a Cajun Flounder Sandwich. But how could a new fish sandwich offering during Lent impact the chicken sandwich battle, which has become...