In the latest confirmation of the grocery industry’s rapid growth in the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Albertsons Companies reported an astounding 243 percent spike in digital sales in its Q2 financial update.
Albertsons, which operates more than 2,250 stores across the country, recorded an 11.2 percent increase in sales and other revenue to reach USD 15.8 billion (EUR 13 billion) during the quarter.
The sales growth comes as shoppers continue to up their purchases of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable seafood.
During the first several months of the pandemic, food retailers realized a sales surge of more than 300 percent, on average, FMI – The Food Industry Association said in its Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2020 report.
Frozen seafood has been a standout throughout the pandemic, with sales surging 50.8 percent for the quarter ending 31 May, 2020, according to Nielsen.
Fresh seafood is also in high demand: retail sales rose 26.3 percent for the same quarter, Nielsen found.
Consumers are buying more seafood because of its health benefits and its high protein content, among other reasons, according to a recent survey from Blue Circle Foods. Seventy-seven percent of consumers say it is important that fish is high in protein, while 74 percent buy seafood for its omega-3 fatty acid content, the survey found.
And fresh food overall is more valued than prior to the pandemic, a new Deloitte survey found, Winsight Grocery Business reported.
“Nine in 10 respondents say it literally makes them happy,” Deloitte said.
To fulfill shoppers’ demand for fresh foods, ShopRite recently opened a store-within-a-store concept focused on fresh meals and meal assembly at three of its Northeastern U.S. stores, GroceryDrive reported. The grocery chain’s new “Fresh to Table” concept presents meal solutions and snacks across a variety of prep levels, including five-ingredient dishes developed by corporate chefs along with ready-to-heat and ready-to-eat items.
Photo courtesy of ShopRite
