U.S. seafood vendors and restaurants are boosting Father’s Day promotions in advance of the 19 June holiday.
Grocers are promoting seafood to cook and grill at home, while restaurants are offering lavish seafood meals for dining out or to take home for the family.
Grilling and gathering at home for the holiday is one of the biggest opportunities for retail grocery sales – and take-out from restaurants, according to Numerator’s Father’s Day Consumer Survey Report. Though 61 percent of Americans said that inflation will impact their celebrations for the holiday, 44 percent will gather with family and friends, the survey found. Forty-one percent will grill or barbecue for Father’s Day, and 22 percent of consumers will cook indoors or bake for the holiday, it found.
Most Americans plan to buy burgers (67 percent), hot dogs/sausages (55 percent), and steaks (53 percent) for grilling, but 16 percent plan to purchase seafood for grilling this Father’s Day, Numerator found.
Grilling is a big opportunity for seafood sales – not just on Father’s Day, but throughout the summer, 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink told SeafoodSource.
“It is very important for seafood to get in on grilling,” Roerink said. “The thing about special occasions and meals, which grilling is very much part of, is that people are willing to splurge a little more. They’re a little more willing to make that purchase that is more expensive than they had planned or would normally pay for, because that’s the food they want to serve to their guests.”
Seventy-one percent of consumers plan to grill or cook meals outdoors as much (51 percent) or more (20 percent) this summer, according to IRI’s May shopper survey. Sixty-nine percent of Americans plan to host at least one cookout or barbecue to entertain friends and family this summer, typically averaging some six to nine guests, IRI found.
Most consumers (74 percent) prefer preparing meat and seafood dishes from scratch, while 17 percent buy grill-ready items, according to the shopper survey.
Recognizing that shoppers plan to gather to grill, boil, or bake seafood for Father’s Day, many retailers are offering seafood specials entering the holiday weekend. Some Thibodaux, Louisiana, U.S.A.-based Rouses Markets are discounting local Gulf of Mexico swordfish at USD 7.99 (EUR 7.56) per pound for the grill. The retailer is also featuring fresh oysters at USD 10.99 (EUR 10.40) per 12-count mini-sack, alongside Drago’s Charbroiling sauce. The specials are designed to get shoppers thinking about grilling oysters, according to Rouses Director of Seafood Denise Englade. Rouses is also touting packaged cooked shrimp cocktail with sauce for family gatherings in advance of Father’s Day, she said.
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based Publix is featuring frozen store brand wild-caught grouper fillets at USD 10.99 (EUR 10.39) per 12-ounce package.
And The Fresh Market is offering a meal deal for USD 79.99 (EUR 76.00) for four people for Father’s Day including either Ultimate Salmon Skewers or New York Strip Steak for each individual. They also receive a caprese salad, vegetable kabobs, loaded twice-baked potatoes and Tuxedo Truffle Mousse Bar Cake.
In foodservice, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based Seasons 52 encouraged guests in an email to “tell dad to take a break from cooking and visit us for our hearty Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail.”
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.-based Truluck’s Seafood is touting a special of tenderloin medallions, lobster, smoked salmon, and baked potato for USD 125 (EUR 118).
Tampa, Florida-based Bonefish Grill is offering a “surf and turf” special of Bourbon Glazed Filet and Shrimp, which is only available from 14-19 June.
Tampa, Florida-based Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Bar is offering three-course meals featuring bone-in ribeye and lobster or filet mignon from 16 to 20 June.
Photo courtesy of Stockbusters/Shutterstock
