The Sushi Market
The Sushi Market
The Sushi Market
• The total sushi market was worth £38.9 million in the 52 wks to 12th July 2008, up
21% on the previous year.
• Sushi represents 0.8% of total fish sales by volume with 2,943 tonnes sold.
• The current market leader is Tesco, accounting for 46% of all sushi volume sales.
• Other retailers e.g. – Boots, Waitrose and M&S – whose market share fell by 32%
compared with last year, have started to struggle as sushi’s appeal grows and it
becomes a mainstream product.
Social class
Social Class
Sushi Value Sales 52 Wks MAT
45% 120%
25% 40%
20% 20%
15% 0%
10% -20%
5% -40%
0% -60%
CLASS AB CLASS C1 CLASS C2 CLASS D CLASS E
% Of Sushi Market 34% 39% 16% 6% 5%
% Of Total Market 31% 28% 18% 13% 10%
± Sushi v Total Fish market share 3% 11% -2% -7% -5%
Sushi YOY % Change -8% 110% 0% -43% 28%
• Social class ABC1 were responsible for nearly 75% of all sushi sales while
accounting for less that 60% of total fish sales.
• Classically the preserve of class AB consumers, the C1 social class are driving the
growth in the category – 110% year on year growth in value sales.
• The increased availability of previously aspirational products has led to traditionally
C1 office workers swapping sandwiches for sushi at lunchtime.
Age
Age Range
Sushi Value Sales 52 Wks MAT
40% 120%
• Inverse correlation between age and market growth: 16-20 yrs growing at 112%, 34–44
years growing at 20% while the 65+ age group’s sales are declining at 19%.
• 34-45 age group are responsible for a third of value sales and have a 14% greater share of
the sushi market than total fish – they have the developed palate and finances to support
their desire.
• Difference in age profiles: 16–44 more sushi than fish, 45+ more fish that sushi
Region
Region
Volums Sales 52 Wks MAT
45% 35%
40% 30%
25% 15%
20% 10%
15% 5%
10% 0%
5% -5%
0% -10%
Lancs and
East of South & South Wales &
Central English London North East Yorkshire Scotland
England South East West West
Border
• London has the highest share of the sushi market (40%) but is the only one where the
market is flat.
• Scotland is the only region outside London to have a greater share of the sushi market
that of the total fish market, and it has the highest year on year year growth at 30%.
• The South West and the North East have the lowest market share but Central and
Yorkshire show the biggest difference between total fish and sushi market share.