Inflation drove seafood consumers toward value in 2023, with trends likely to continue into 2024

A seafood shopper inside the fresh section of a market.

Persistent food inflation throughout 2023 drove many customers toward value-focused channels in seafood, and the slowing rate of inflation wasn’t enough to reverse a downward sales trend across most categories of seafood.

The latest year-end survey from consumer behavior data firm Circana shows 55 percent of seafood shoppers looked for sales and deals more often throughout 2023 – either by looking to buy more private-label products, clipping coupons, or following in-store promotions – a report by 210 Analytics President Anne-Marie Roerink said. 

“The survey found that nearly three in 10 shoppers include more value-focused retailers into their store rotation, 18 percent shop more grocery stores to get the best deals, and another 18 percent have switched stores altogether,” Roerink said. “This has led to substantial channel shifting when comparing the share of refrigerated seafood dollars in 2023 versus the channel share distribution in 2019.”

In 2019 – before the Covid-19 pandemic – traditional grocery stores accounted for ...

Photo courtesy of Shine Nucha/Shutterstock


SeafoodSource Premium

Become a Premium member to unlock the rest of this article.

Continue reading ›

Already a member? Log in ›

Subscribe

Want seafood news sent to your inbox?

You may unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. Diversified Communications | 121 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101 | +1 207-842-5500
None