Inflation continues to hamper overall grocery and fresh seafood sales, but the holiday season offers an opportunity for shoppers to splurge on items like crab, lobster, and shrimp.  

As seen since this spring, high prices on fresh seafood continue to dampen sales. Inflation on overall fresh seafood rose 10.9% on average per unit in June, according to IRI and 210 Analytics.  

The record inflation in fresh seafood and across the grocery store this year has led to some innovation promotions and “value” merchandising in the fresh seafood department.  

Despite a drop in fresh seafood sales due to inflation in recent months, grocers are banking on shoppers’ love for grilling, boils and bakes to boost seafood sales this summer.

Thanks to record-high grocery inflation, fresh seafood sales plunged 13.2% to $618 million in May, according to IRI and 210 Analytics.

Despite a drop in sales of prepared seafood items in recent months, shoppers are seeking out innovative grab-and-go solutions.

Fresh seafood sales plunged in March due to rising inflation — primarily impacting crab, lobster, tilapia and catfish. Still, there are some bright spots in the department, including an uptick in sales of salmon, trout, seafood salads and other items.  

Some grocery chains utilize other in-store merchandising techniques and their web sites and social media to communicate seafood sustainability and traceability initiatives.  

Transparency and sustainable sourcing — particularly in the fresh seafood arena — have become paramount to shoppers.