Japanese rice dish sushi has now become so popular that it has become the fastest growing premium lunchtime main in the UK. Demand has increased so much at Tesco that sushi has even replaced Britain’s favourite premium lunchtime treat – the smoked salmon sandwich.
Sushi sales have rocketed by 90 per cent since the beginning of the year when Tesco launched its £5 Clubcard Meal Deal. Included in the Premium deal, which comprises of a main, a drink and a snack, are a choice of sushi boxes, poke bowls and other pan-Asian delights such as bao buns and gyozas.
The supermarket presently sells 21 million packs of sushi a year, as a result of the extra demand.
Emma Williams – Tesco Food to Go Buying Manager said they had put premium quality sushi in one of their meal deals for the first time ever, and that it had a noteworthy effect in making it more affordable and accessible for shoppers. She said that demand had also been boosted by people returning to work and that it had led to restaurant group opening more YO! counters for fresh sushi in their stores across the UK.
She went on to say that sushi had never been more popular, and that it was apparent by the fact that a salmon poke bowl had overtaken their previous top-selling premium lunchtime staple, which is the smoked salmon sandwich. Sushi increased in popularity because it was a non-fuss snack that could be eaten on the go.
As part of the deal, shoppers can also pick up well-known brands such as Sushi and Pollen & Grace, Itsu, YO! and a broad range of Tesco Finest mains.
At present the Tesco Premium Meal Deal is available in 1,100 stores and offers a range of quality options to suit all tastes for just £5 per head with a Clubcard, or £5.50 without.
