Encino, California, U.S.A.-based grocery chain Gelson’s is growing its range of sushi products and is committing to greater use of skin-pack technology that extends shelf life.
Gelson’s, a retail operator of 27 stores, all in Southern California, has sold sushi for 20 years in all of its stores, as well as at sit-down wine and tapas bars in 10 of its stores. It is suppplied by Santa Fe Springs, California- based Red Shell Sushi.
With the grocery sushi category showing great potential for further growth - sales in the category rose 2 percent year over year to nearly USD 956 million (EUR 881 million) for the year ending 19 May 2024, according to research firm Circana - Gelson's sees an opportunity to serve more of what its customers are looking for, according to Gelson’s Director of Meat and Seafood Operations Fernando Moreno.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, U.S. consumers turned to supermarkets for their sushi following the widespread shutdown of the restaurant industry. Gelson’s sushi sales shot up in 2021, and the chain experienced better overall sushi sales increases in 2022 compared to other operators, according to its in-house data.
“We believe this success [was] due to increased interest from millennials and Gen Z, who are more engaged in social media. They help in spreading awareness that quality sushi is available at their local Gelson's, and it's not necessary to go to an expensive sushi bar,” Moreno told SeafoodSource. “Although you may not get a fancy USD 100 [EUR 92.50] omakase-style dinner with exotic fish, you can enjoy a high-value product for under USD 20 [EUR 18.48].”
However, Gelson’s sushi sales have slipped recently, declining 8 percent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to Q2 2023.
In order to remain competitive, retailers have to adapt and offer new items that have not been available in retail before, Moreno said. To that end, Gelson’s worked with Red Shell Sushi to add several new items to its retail offerings. Two rolls, in particular – the Double Salmon Roll and the Jalapeno CA Roll – have been “quite successful,” Moreno said.
Gelson’s also upgraded to a ...
