« November 2007 Table of Contents 
Shrimp dominates entertainment options
Retail platter subcategory declines 7.4
percent
November 01, 2007
The demand for party fare will increase with the holidays
fast approaching, and seafood typically plays an important role
on consumers' entertainment menu.
Platters account for a small share of total seafood
department dollars, contributing 2.6 percent during the 52
weeks ending July 28. Nationally, the subcategory averaged $135
in weekly sales, declining 7.4 percent from
the same period
the
previous year.
Typically purchased for entertaining, platter sales are
highest during the winter holiday weeks. Sales for the
subcategory enjoyed a steady climb beginning in early December
and peaked Christmas week, with weekly sales averaging $601 per
store. Platter sales also spiked during Thanksgiving week in
late November and the Super Bowl week in early February. Weekly
subcategory sales reached an annual low of $74 the week ending
on July 21.
During the 52 weeks ending July 28, average weekly sales
were highest in the East at $193 per store, while the dollar
contribution was highest in the Central region at 3.6 percent.
All regions declined in average weekly sales and contribution
to department compared to the previous year. The South saw the
sharpest decline in average weekly sales, decreasing by 14.5
percent compared to the previous year. The West reported the
smallest decline in average weekly dollar sales at 1.2
percent.
Nationally, shrimp platters accounted for the largest share
of average weekly sales for the platter subcategory with 96.2
percent of total category sales during the 52 weeks ending July
28. Seafood/fish platters represented the second highest
average at 2.5 percent followed by "other" platters at 1.1
percent and crab platters at 0.3 percent.