Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.A.-based Beck’s Smokery, a maker of seafood-based spreads, dips, and salads, has seen its sales grow significantly during the coronavirus crisis.
The company, which produces products such as Smoked Wild Halibut Spread, Smoked Salmon Spread, Real Wild Crab Salad, Jalapeño Seafood Crab Dip, and Savory Boston Lobster Spread under the SeaWild brand, is expecting its total sales to be up 20 percent in 2020.
"Their products have been highly successful during the coronavirus, with sales increases over 2019 in one of the largest retailers in the U.S.,” Beck’s Marketing and Management Consultant Kellus Sewell told SeafoodSource. “I attribute this to the products being comfort food, especially enjoyed during this worrisome period."
Founded in 1988 as a provider of smoked fish to local restaurants in Florida, Beck’s was purchased by current owner Roberto Cutz in 1994. Cutz pushed to expand the company’s processing capabilities and number of offerings, expanding with the launch of the New Arctic and Premium Gourmet product lines.
Through the first six months of 2020, Beck’s sales are up 15 percent year-over-year, with retail sales of prepared and value-added seafood products booming as U.S. consumers shift their seafood-buying from restaurants to retail and grocery outlets. Sewell said Beck’s performs well even against competitors in its own category due to its focus on health and its “natural and sustainable” branding.
“Beck’s and SeaWild brands are an overwhelming focus group choice over name-brands, with no artificial colors, artificial flavors, or trans fats, and ingredients you can pronounce,” Sewell said. “The number-one ingredient in all products is real seafood that attracts health-conscious consumers that corresponds to the company’s mission, ‘Enriching Healthy Values.’”
Cutz told SeafoodSource his company has expanded its distribution to more than 2,500 stores in 18 states in the U.S. Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest.
“And we have just started, Cutz said. [We’re targeting] not only new untouched geographic areas, but club stores, convenience stores, drugstores, and foodservice are unexplored markets.”
Photo courtesy of Beck's Smokery
