Supermarket chain Waitrose scooped the top retail prize at last night’s 2009 Seafood Awards by winning the Multiple Retail of the Year Award.
Waitrose was said to “consistently excel in fish sales and enjoys an increasing market share”.
The retailer sells more than 55 different species of fish and shellfish from 25 different countries.
Sainsbury’s was highly commended, while a commendation went to the Co-operative Group and Morrisons and Tesco were shortlisted for the multiple retailer award.
The awards evening was held at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel, London, last night and other multiple retail winners included Asda and Marks & Spencer.
Asda won the Training and Development Award for Seafood Retailers for its long-established seafood training programme, which covers everything from fish preparation to cookery demonstrations.
Asda also won the Best Seafood Fortnight Campaign Award for Multiple Retailers by “heavily promoting the health benefits of seafood as well as the importance of local and seasonal species”.
Marks & Spencer won the Best New Seafood Product Award for Oil-rich Fish for its raw Scottish Lochmuir Salmon with Soy, Ginger and Lime.
The awards’ judges said: “The sharp, fresh and modern taste satisfies consumers who are looking for something new and different.”
Ugo Foods Group won the Best New Seafood Product Award for Shellfish for its Del’ Ugo Handcrafted Crab & Cray Fish Ravioli.
Brakes took the Best New Seafood Product Award for Whitefish for its Cod, Smoked Haddock & Leek en Papillote.
