Mowi boosted by Sainsbury’s focus on off-the-shelf fish
Mowi’s Fife-based Consumer Products UK plant, and Scottish aquaculture in general, have benefited from the decision by supermarket chain Sainsbury’s to close its fresh fish counters during the Covid-19 pandemic, the salmon farmer said.
Sainsbury’s announced yesterday that the closure of meat, fish and deli counters in the early stages of the pandemic would be permanent.
But that is not bad news for Mowi, which supplies Sainsbury’s with packaged salmon from its Consumer Products division in Rosyth, nor for customers, who are getting the same choice of salmon as they’ve always had, according to Mowi.
Opportunities in aisle
“Mowi has actively pursued opportunities in aisle to serve customers,” said a spokesperson for Mowi Consumer Products UK.
“Sainsbury’s has effectively replaced the flexibility that customers enjoyed at the counter – including single portions, larger sides and whole salmon – with equivalent lines in pre-packed options.
“With Sainsbury’s also adding organic fresh and organic smoked into their selection these past months, it has resulted in a boosting for Mowi and Scottish aquaculture products in general during this period.”
Habits are changing
“We will continue to offer pizza, hot food, patisserie and some bakery services, along with an even wider range of products to choose from on shelf in store.
“Colleagues affected have been supporting other parts of our stores while the counters have been closed since the early stages of the pandemic and we will redeploy as many people as possible to alternative roles. We understand this will be an unsettling time and will support them in any way we can.”
The store chain said it was working with suppliers to offer customers a wider range of products to choose from on the shelf.
