Tesco has started introducing more unusual varieties of fish at their counters, as the shopping habits change for UK consumers. Tesco has seen a sharp rise in popularity of fish such as; megrim, grey mullet and brill.
The fish of the day, in the UK, has seen a change from the common cod or plaice and is being replaced with swordfish steak and monkfish tail.
The UK supermarket has trained staff at 650 fish counters across the country, to help consumers find alternative varieties of fish, offer recipe ideas and serving tips.
In the past year, grey mullet has risen by 600%, megrim 400%, mackerel 200%, monk-fish tail 50%, swordfish steak 50%, ray wing 40% and whole crab has risen by nearly 25%.
Tesco fish buyer Andrew Haigh explains: “We now offer more fish choices than ever before, which has helped our customers explore and discover some of the more unusual but fantastic tasting varieties that are now readily available like, Monkfish tail, swordfish and Megrim.
“All of our fish counters colleagues are specially trained so they can help customers, angling for something different, with their fish choices and offer cooking, recipe and serving tips.
“We are seeing that shoppers’ tastes are changing, which is taking the pressure off the demand for the UK’s traditional favourites like cod and haddock.”
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aoife Lawless. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
