Several U.S. seafood companies are running holiday promotions this year, seeking to get a piece of an expected increase in consumer spending as the end of December approaches.
San Diego, California, U.S.A.-based canned seafood supplier Bumble Bee Seafoods is one such company, offering a singing tuna Advent calendar for the Christmas season.
The company, owned by Kaohsiung, Taiwan-based FCF Co., debuted the Tuna Lovers’ Advent Calendar last holiday season but has improved upon the calendar with its 2024 version by programming it to play a newly re-recorded version of Bumble Bee’s jingle from the 1970s sung by British boy band BBMak.
"Our Advent calendar was very popular last year, so we knew we had to bring it back and make it even more fun with the remake of the iconic Bumble Bee theme song," Bumble Bee Senior Director of Brand Marketing Dana Kowal said.
Besides the song, the calendar also includes 10 Bumble Bee tuna pouches, including its new lemon and garlic-flavored albacore tuna pouch, as well as two of its “Snack on the Run!" tuna salad kits.
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.-based restaurant chain Long John Silver’s is also getting in on the trend of holiday promotions serving “golden seafood treasures” at its locations across the country, the company said in a press release. Celebrating 55 years in business, the chain is also offering a holiday sweepstakes, giving customers a chance to win USD 55,000 (EUR 52,000) or one of several weekly prizes such as cash and gift cards.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our loyal guests who’ve sailed with us over the last 55 years,” Long John Silver’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Innovation Christopher Caudill said. “Since our journey began in 1969, we've stayed true to delivering freshly prepared, crave-worthy seafood and making every meal an adventure. This holiday season, we’re thrilled to thank our guests with an opportunity to snag some serious treasure.”
The sweepstakes runs through 15 December.
Melbourne, Florida, U.S.A.-based Wild Tide Seafoods is taking a different approach in an effort to grow sales during the holiday season by joining digital marketplace Foraged, which connects consumers with artisanal food producers.
Wild Tide products – such as Alaskan red king crab, Maine lobster tail, and a wide variety of seafood gift boxes – were previously sold only on its website.
Wild Tide Co-Founder and COO Jay Scannell told SeafoodSource the supplier has recently seen strong growth in sales, and by adding the partnership with Foraged, the company is increasing its brand visibility to gain greater awareness at the best time of year to do so.
Direct-to-consumer meat and seafood brand ButcherBox has also secured a partnership this holiday season with Scotch whisky producer Bruichladdich Distillery
“[We want] to bring [ButcherBox’s] passion for quality, sustainability, and exceptional experiences to surprise and delight consumers over the holidays,” the distillery said.
The partnership includes crafted box bundles that feature a pairing of Bruichladdich's premium whiskies alongside ButcherBox's sustainably sourced protein options.
The "Scotch & Sear” box, priced at between USD 285 (EUR 271) and USD 295 (EUR 281) each, includes scallops, bacon, filet mignon, ribeye, sablefish, wild-caught salmon, and lobster tails. Customers can select either The Classic Laddie or Port Charlotte 10 whiskys to go with the meat and seafood.
The "Cheers & Chops" box – sold for USD 175 (EUR 167) – includes bacon, sirloin, premium steak tips, boneless pork chops, Gulf of Mexico shrimp, and The Classic Laddie whisky.
A recent survey conducted by Omaha Steaks found that nearly 70 percent of consumers plan to gift food this season.
Nearly 60 percent of consumers surveyed said that experiences matter more than material gifts, so consumable gifts like gourmet meals provide the best of both worlds, Omaha Steaks said.
"Food uniquely delivers both the excitement of receiving a gift and the lasting memories of sharing an amazing meal with loved ones," Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe said.
