U.S. retail chain Kroger is offering discounts on a number of upscale seafood items for this year’s Valentine’s Day and providing customers with advice on how best to prepare a nice dinner at home for the holiday.
Kroger is touting a number of specials in the lead up to the holiday on 14 February, including boneless strip steak for just USD 9.99 (USD 8.41) per pound, lobster tails at two for USD 10 (EUR 8.41), and snow crab clusters as little as USD 9.99 per pound with a digital or in-store accessible coupon.
The retailer’s meat and seafood counters are featuring premium cuts and fresh selections “that feel like a night out,” Kroger Group Vice President of Fresh Merchandising Carlo Baldan said.
“Quality ingredients are the foundation of any romantic dinner, and Kroger consistently delivers on quality and affordability. Kroger is making it easy to impress any Valentine this holiday,” he said.
In particular, a surf and turf dinner is “perfect for lovebirds to celebrate Valentine's Day without the hassle of a reservation,” the Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.-based grocery chain said.
To ensure customers prepare the dish properly, Kroger's culinary experts have shared their top tips for preparing restaurant-quality surf and turf at home, including buying solidly frozen lobster tails with no heavy ice crystals.
“Select a 4- to 6-ounce tail, which will cook evenly and stay tender; larger tails are easier to overcook. When choosing crab legs, look for intact shells and minimal ice buildup,” the retailer advised.
To top it off, add melted butter, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and a light sprinkle of salt and parsley, Kroger advised shoppers. Additionally, customers can ask the butchers and fishmongers behind Kroger meat and seafood counters to help choose the right portions and sizes, along with any other questions they may have.
Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day is expected to reach a record USD 29.1 billion (EUR 24.5 billion), according to a survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
“Valentine’s Day is a cherished holiday that resonates with many Americans, as seen with expected record-breaking spending this year,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said in a release. “Much of that growth is driven by middle- and high-income shoppers who are expanding their gift lists to include friends, co-workers, and even pets, in addition to loved ones.”
