Newsletter Home     Industry Bite     Health Watch     Featured Articles     Recipe of the Month     Order Materials New Retail Posters & In-Ice Signs! Beginning late October-early November, a series of six uniquely illustrated posters will be available to the Alaska Seafood industry and retailers to promote wild and abundant Alaska Seafood. Their original contemporary style will garner attention and standout in-store. The new posters feature Alaska Cod, Salmon, Black Cod, Halibut, and Crab. An all-species poster is also available. In conjunction with the release of the poster series, 14 in-ice signs of a similar style have been developed. Designed to enliven seafood cases with their use of vivid color, each sign will comply with Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) standards. The signs will also feature key facts conveniently printed on the back, enabling seafood counter employees to provide very brief taste, texture, nutrition and cooking technique information to customers. Click here for a sneak peek of these new materials. "Selling the Holiday Spirit" The article "Selling the Holiday Spirit" featured in the September 2005 issue of Meat & Seafood Merchandising provides tips on how to maximize seafood sales this holiday season. The first tip is: "Focus on the popular - and the not-so-popular." The article states, "For many retailers, Christmas is the easiest time of year to sell seafood. But just because it's an easy sell doesn't mean you should stop promoting it." The article adds, "It's an opportunity to promote a lesser-selling product between Christmas and New Year's." Ann North, Director of Retail Marketing for Phillips Foods, adds, "Consumers are more willing to accept frozen seafood during the holidays because they assume fresh seafood is not available during the winter months." Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) tips:   • Consider offering smoked Alaska Black Cod and Halibut in addition to the traditional     smoked Alaska Salmon.   • Try something new this holiday season in the fresh case such as Alaska Black Cod, Crab,     Oysters, Rockfish, Scallops, Spot Prawns, or previously frozen Alaska Seafood products. Click here for a list of Alaska Seafood suppliers The article's second recommendation is: "Feed them." According to Ed Tropp, Sales Director for Salmolux, "Sampling programs are extremely successful during the holidays." Tropp further suggests sampling products like appetizers and dips. ASMI tip:   • Try one of our appetizer recipes for Alaska Seafood, or check out two of our new recipes developed     in conjunction with Sunset magazine. Click here to for a sampling of these recipes The final suggestion in the article is "Take advantage of the holiday spirit." Consumers will prepare more elaborate dishes during the holidays than they will any other time of year. It was recommended that retailers carry items that look elaborate but actually require minimal labor. ASMI tip:   • Consider featuring Alaska Seafood in a cooking demonstration using the COOK IT FROZEN! technique. It is a great way to meet the needs of rushed holiday shoppers that want a quick, easy and healthy meal. For more information on the COOK IT FROZEN! method and many more delicious recipes go to: www.COOKITFROZEN.com. "A New School of Fish" "A new School of Fish," featured in the October issue of Meat and Seafood Merchandising, informs readers that with the rise of consumption and increased awareness of seafood, the frozen seafood section is expanding to meet consumer's needs. The article notes that according to Mintel "sales of frozen seafood are forecast to grow 53 percent by 2009." ASMI's Larry Andrews adds, "The surprise to most retailers is when they promote the frozen-seafood line on a consistent basis, they can build their sales to new levels, and, at the same time, introduce seafood in a completely new light- that of now being a pantry item." The article goes on to inform readers of frozen seafood trends. The first trend described is "Increased visibility," which notes, "consumers are more aware of the category than they used to be." Additionally, there has been a change in how frozen seafood is merchandised: "Today more retailers are grouping all seafood together, stocking frozen seafood near the full-service seafood department." It is noted this could mean a shift in the target market for frozen seafood. Jackson Currie, Owner and Manager of Brave New Shrimp states, "the people who now shop for frozen seafood are food connoisseurs, not just people looking for a quick, convenient meal." Another trend is "Increased variety." Value-added has entered the frozen seafood case. This includes ready-to-heat items and marinated products. "Shoreline Central Market carries a wide array of value-added products, including bacon-wrapped scallops, salmon sausage and burgers, two different kinds of crab cakes and stuffed shrimp." In addition, portion control items are increasing, for instance, "Morey's provides Costco with 6-ounce, individually packaged, frozen, marinated wild Alaskan Salmon fillets. The product can be grilled, baked or microwaved." It is noted that the industry still has room for further innovation and the value-added product trend will continue. The article concludes that consumer's views of frozen seafood appear to be changing, and some industry experts say, "Thanks to improved freezing processes, the quality of frozen fish now rivals never frozen fish." For the consumers that still aren't on board with frozen seafood, the article suggests cooking demonstrations or taste testing.