In launching its Think Big corporate initiative, El Segundo, California-based Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods has engaged Wakefield Research to uncover how the retail and foodservice industry has shifted over the past 12 months and where it is heading. Results of the survey were based on responses from executives and buyers across the USA grocery retail and food service category.
Among the Major Findings
71% of respondents said the seafood sector was best positioned to handle unexpected challenges and disruptions, compared to the beef (44%), poultry (43%), plant-based proteins (38%), and pork (35%) industries.
After several years of not being able to eat out normally due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, food executives and buyers (49%) say consumers are trying to recreate the restaurant experience at home.
• Nearly all respondents (97%) say consumers are willing to try new and innovative seafood products, including 52% who say they are “very willing.”
Almost three-fourths of food executives and buyers (73%) have seen an increase in demand for sustainably caught and farm raised products in the past year, with 30% reporting a significant increase.
• Those surveyed reported being surprised by consumer requests for value-added (44%) products, as well as products that are ready-to-eat (42%) and ready-to-cook (42%).
“This survey was part of our efforts to provide even better service to our partners,” said Brenden Beck, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods. “We have been operating in a volatile and changing market these last few years and that has helped us become even more closely connected with our customers to navigate strategically together through these changes. The Think Big initiative is an effort to continue directing resources to those key areas that our customers have identified as their biggest challenges and needs, including innovation, sustainability, supply chain connectivity, and market expertise.”
About the Company Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods is a fully owned subsidiary of the Thai Union Group. It operates seafood brands including Chicken of the Sea, Xcellent, Asian Gold, Orion and VanCamps, sold and distributed by supermarkets, grocery and club stores, wholesale outlets, broadline foodservice suppliers and national restaurants chains. Established in 2006 in partnership with Thai Union, the company generates more than a billion dollars in annual sales as is ranked as the No.1 importer of shrimp and crab meat in North America.
