Environmental factors have heavily impacted fresh food prices this year, and the seafood department is no exception.
With shrimp suffering from early mortality syndrome (EMS) in increased numbers this year, the key category shortage has contributed to increased prices across the department. As a result, weekly seafood dollars per store increased 6 percent to USD 7,149 (EUR 5,416) in the second quarter of 2014, driven by fresh seafood (up 5.8 percent to USD 5,724 (EUR 4,337) per store per week) and specifically shrimp, which is up 6.7 percent to USD 1,944 (EUR 1,473) per store per week.
Seafood volume sales decreased 3.9 percent compared to the second quarter of 2013. The volume losses come specifically from fresh seafood, down 6 percent, due to declines in shrimp (down 16.8 percent).
Shopping habits also played a role in the department’s success, as fewer consumers are shopping the department this year. Household penetration was down 4 points compared to 2Q 2013, and down 4.4 points in both fresh seafood and shrimp, as well. Existing households are making 4.4 percent fewer trips. Still, consumers are spending more at the case. Spend per trip for seafood increased 6.7 percent compared to the previous quarter.
The East region outperformed the remaining U.S. regions in seafood sales, at USD 10,198 (EUR 7,728) per store per week, up 4.6 percent from 2Q 2013. Volume decreased 4 percent versus one year ago however, likely due to an 8.9 percent price increase to USD 7.29 (EUR 5.52).
Seafood sales in the West region were just over half of those in the East region, with weekly dollar sales up 8.7 percent to USD 5,766 (EUR 4,369) per store. Average retail price increased 8.9 percent in the West to USD 6.77 (EUR 5.13), and this lower price point helped the region maintain volume sales compared to the Q2 2013.
With recent trouble in the shrimp category, retailers can make up sales by drawing consumers to the case with less expensive categories. For instance, the price growth in finfish is less significant than shrimp, up 8.3 percent versus 2Q 2013 compared to 28.3 percent for shrimp, and has higher household penetration, 19.4 percent versus 15.1 percent, to build upon.
This sales review is provided by Nielsen Perishables Group. Based in Chicago, Nielsen Perishables Group specializes in retail measurement, analytics, marketing communications, category development, promotional best practices and shopper insights.
FreshFacts Point-of-Sale Data: 13 Weeks ending 28 June 2014, key U.S. grocery, mass/supercenter and club chains. FreshFacts® Shopper Insights Powered by Spire: Latest 13 weeks ending 28 June grocery channel only.
For more information, contact Haley Hastings at Nielsen Perishables Group, 773.929.7013; [email protected].
