If the operators of fresh seafood departments take some merchandising and marketing tactics from the success of meat, they can realize incremental sales growth this year.

Adding value-added options to your lineup can be key to getting consumers over the uncertainty of how to prepare seafood.

Sales of seafood trays shot up 37.6% over the past year, according to Circana, while volume also soared 35%.

Sushi sales will continue to surge, along with seafood trays for entertaining and other items, said Jason Resner, president at consultancy DNR Sales & Marketing Strategy Advisors.

As experienced in previous years, prepared seafood items are expected to continue to sell well this year due to shoppers’ busy lifestyles and the desire for healthy, restaurant-style meals.

While there have been increases in most other categories, value-added seafood entrées in the deli have declined 2.8% and seafood salad sales are down 2.5% for the year ending Dec. 1.

“Grocery retailers’ goal should be to make their customers feel good about their purchases as well as being more informed on the supply,” said Jason Resner, president at consultancy DNR Sales & Marketing Strategy Advisors.

"Grocery retailers’ goal should be to make their customers feel good about their purchases as well as being more informed on the supply," said Jason Resner, president at consultancy DNR Sales & Marketing Strategy Advisors.

As the deflation in shrimp, crab and other shellfish — along with consumers’ economic woes — have resulted in lower dollar sales, experts are encouraging retailers to step up discounts, assortment, and promotions.

Merchandise prepared seafood items in the deli for a sales boost.