Seafood sales are likely to grow at both U.S. restaurants and retailers this Valentine’s Day as Americans are expected to spend a record USD 27.5 billion (EUR 26.5 billion) in holiday shopping.
If it comes to fruition, that total would be up from the USD 25.8 billion (EUR 24.9 billion) consumers spent in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics Valentine’s Day Survey, which found that individual shoppers plan to spend USD 188.81 (EUR 182) on average for this year’s holiday, set to take place 14 February.
While the NRF and Prosper found that 56 percent of consumers plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, research firm Numerator said that a larger 64 percent of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday, which would be an increase of 4 percent from last year.
“Valentine's Day is a good seafood holiday. Seafood is an excellent choice for a special romantic Valentine's Day dinner,” Chuck Anderson, vice president of operations and partner at Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.-based food quality assurance firm Certified Quality Foods, told SeafoodSource.
Anderson expects higher Valentine’s Day seafood sales than last year, when the holiday fell on a Wednesday. The mid-week timing was “not ideal for making a special seafood meal at home for working folks,” he said.
“With the holiday on a Friday [this year], demand and sales should be stronger, so seafood managers should plan for an increase over last year's numbers and order and merchandise accordingly,” he said.
Valentine’s Day is the most popular holiday for going out to eat, Numerator said, as 42 percent of Americans plan to do so this year, while 25 percent plan to cook or bake at home and 14 percent plan to order food for takeout or delivery. Additionally, food is one of the most popular purchases for Valentine’s Day, as 48 percent said they will spend money on it this holiday, according to Numerator.
In total, Americans plan to spend USD 5.4 billion (EUR 5.2 billion) on going out to eat, NRF and Prosper found.
As a result, a host of restaurant chains and independent eateries around the nation are offering special Valentine’s Day menus or promotions.
For instance, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Ivar’s is offering unique menus at its Acres of Clams, Salmon House, and Mukilteo Landing restaurants from 13 to 16 February.
“The choice to dine with your significant other is easy, but it might be a difficult decision between king salmon, halibut, Dungeness crab crusted halibut, lobster risotto, oysters, surf ‘n turf … and many more delectable dishes,” the company said.
Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.-based Bonefish Grill is offering a limited-time menu from 11 to 17 February that highlights a new dish – Filet & Grilled Rock Lobster Tail – along with a returning entree – Rockefeller Butterfish.
Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen will offer a four-course prix-fixe Valentine’s Day Dinner on 14 February, which includes Beau Soleil Oyster, Lobster Ravioli, Bacalaítos and Caviar, Blackened Scallops, and Wagyu New York strip.
The popularity of eating out at Valentine’s Day may actually work in retailers’ favor, too, according to Anderson and 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink.
“High-end seafood restaurants will be sold out for Valentine's Day and likely by 15 February for Valentine's weekend, which helps drive retail seafood demand,” Anderson said.
Roerink added that holidays became much more home-centric in the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic, but then restaurant traffic picked up, causing “prices to jump and consumers to turn toward home-prepared meals once more to save money.”
“It’s hard to say where 2025 will pan out,” Roerink said. “More than likely we’ll see the two trends net out somewhere in the middle with a similar restaurant versus retail split.”
For those preparing a home-cooked meal this Valentine’s Day, many shoppers will be willing to spend on premium seafood items or dishes that are already semi-prepared or oven-ready, according to Roerink.
“The seafood department can work with other departments around the store to create meal ideas or meal bundles for convenience, as well as an attractive price point, and optimize Valentine’s Day spending,” she said.
Anderson added that holidays like Valentine’s Day provide shoppers with the perfect excuse to buy luxury food items they usually don’t splurge on.
“High-end seafood products such as king crab, lobster tails, jumbo lump crab, and Chilean sea bass are luxuries that many people can only afford once in a while. This is the week to treat that special someone to that special occasion seafood treat,” he said.
