Each retailer has been awarded industry funding by Seafood Week organisers, Seafish, to help promote seafood to customers during the UK-wide event, which runs from 5-12 October.
This is the first year Marks & Spencer has been involved in Seafood Week. Lesley Saunders, fish buyer for the retailer, said: Seafood week is a great opportunity for us to showcase all the fish species we sell. Sales of tuna and sea bass have been very successful this year and we hope to build on that, while reminding customers of the many health benefits of eating seafood twice a week.”
Waitrose, which has supported Seafood Week since it began in 2000 has a host of in-store activity planned. Rachel Hillier, promotions manager at the supermarket said: “Seafood Week is an important event in our promotional calendar. Our shoppers are big buyers of seafood, and the week gives us a great opportunity to encourage them to try something new and explore our fantastic range of products.”
Some of the activities planned by the multiples during Seafood Week include:
• ASDA: on pack promo encouraging customers to buy fish and a new customer initiative encouraging customers who are scared of buying fish to give it a try! Customers will be offered fish in 3 easy steps – choose the fish then a free portion of butter in four flavours and take it home in an oven ready bag, creating a simple meal solution ready to cook.
• Marks & Spencer: trial size pack of fish free for account holders and buy one get second half price offer on chilled, pre-packed fish and ‘cook’ fish products.
• Morrisons: free booklet promoting the ‘Have you tried’ message will encourage customers to sample alternative, more sustainable species. Designed to provide customers with recipe ideas, top tips it will be available from fish counters.
• Sainsbury’s: training programme for staff and local schools about fish sustainability and the importance of ‘2 a week’, a customer leaflet on Seafood Week and a seafood money off coupon on-pack on selected fish products..
• Waitrose: seafood recipe cards available in store, a customer leaflet including ideas on how to incorporate seafood into your diet twice a week, and customer tastings.
Andy Gray, account manager for Seafish, said: “We have been working with supermarket partners since Seafood Week began in 2000 and they always come up with exciting, customer-friendly activities to encourage people to get involved. It’s great to see retailers support the event year after year and is testament to just how important the seafood industry is to major retailers.”
