U.S. retailers and restaurant chains have ramped up their seafood promotions leading up to Mother’s Day, which will take place 12 May this year.
Spending on this year’s holiday is expected to reach a near-record USD 33.5 billion (EUR 31 billion), according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics’ annual consumer survey. If that comes to fruition, 2024 Mother’s Day spending would reach the second-highest level ever recorded after 2023’s record of USD 35.7 billion (EUR 33 billion).
The survey found that the vast majority of U.S. adults (84 percent) are expected to celebrate Mother’s Day and they plan to spend just over USD 254 (EUR 236) each on Mother’s Day gifts and celebrations, NRF said.
To encourage consumers to cook at home for the holiday rather than dine out, many supermarkets are offering discounts and specials on seafood.
“We anticipate a nice sales lift due to more customers celebrating mom at home since the economy and inflation rates are still staying at some all-time highs,” Fresh Thyme Market Meat and Seafood Sales, Merchandising, Marketing, and Procurement Lead Jason Resner told SeafoodSource. “Customers who shop our Mother’s Day promotions can treat mom to a high-end, upscale, quality steak and seafood full-course meal experience at home.”
The Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.A.-based grocery chain is touting a limited-time sales event that features pasture-raised whole beef tenderloin for USD 9.99 (EUR 9.31) per pound, paired with a snow crab cluster and king crab leg. The snow crab offer is available only to Fresh Thyme’s loyalty program customers.
“We love all our customers but also really love our loyal customers and leverage our loyalty app with these digital coupon offers to reward and remind them how much their loyalty means to us," Resner said. "We choose important holidays like Mother’s Day to remind customers that Fresh Thyme Market is their destination for premium meat and seafood offers at a value."
Fresh Thyme also has shrimp and salmon deals for the holiday.
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.A.-based The Fresh Market is offering an “easy and elegant variety of ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook meals that allow mom to indulge in a delicious meal she didn’t need to prepare,” the retailer said in a press release.
“This Mother’s Day, The Fresh Market is making it easy to treat mom and give her the pampering she deserves with a range of mouthwatering meals, vibrant spring bouquets, premium wines, and decadent gifts. Sometimes, the best gift is a break from meal planning,” The Fresh Market said.
Shoppers can create a complete Mother’s Day meal by choosing two items from these entrees: filet mignon, lump crab cakes, and new Chilean sea bass cakes. The entrees are accompanied by mascarpone whipped potatoes with rosemary, asparagus with red peppers and sea salt butter, eight chocolate dipped strawberries, a Fresh Market reusable tote, and a seasonal bouquet of flowers. The meal package, which serves two, retails for USD 59.99 (EUR 55.84).
Restaurant chains are also capitalizing on the holiday season, as Mother’s Day remains a popular day to eat out for American consumers. Around 34 percent of Americans said they will dine out that day, while another 12 percent expect to order takeout, according to the National Restaurant Association.
To celebrate both spring and Mother’s Day, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.-based Long John Silver’s is featuring its Shrimp Sea-Shares, which includes a choice of 15-piece grilled shrimp, 15-piece batter-dipped shrimp, or a sharable serving of Crispy Breaded Popcorn Shrimp for USD 10.00 (EUR 9.31), as well as Chicken Plank Baskets for USD 6.00 (EUR 5.58).
Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.-based Italian restaurant chain Maggiano’s is also offering new seasonal dishes and Mother’s Day specials.
One of the company’s new appetizers is Clams Oreganata, which includes clams topped with smoked bacon, spinach, and an Italian cheese blend, and the chain added a Lobster Truffle Ravioli entrée to the menu that features truffle-filled ravioli topped with lobster meat, sun-dried tomatoes, and asparagus in a lobster cream sauce. Customers can pair an 8-ounce filet with the Lobster Truffle Ravioli entrée.
Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.-based Bonefish Grill, owned by Bloomin’ Brands, is offering Crab-Crusted Halibut through 20 May.
