Home   News   Article

Wick-based seaweed firm boosts its retail presence in the UK market


By Gordon Calder

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

A BUSINESS with a base in Caithness is boosting its retail presence in the UK after deals with two companies. SHORE, the Scottish seaweed company, which was established in Wick, will see its healthy snacks in 24 Booths stores in the north of England as from August 15. And next month it will have products in 450 Holland Barrett outlets across the country.

Following the launch of its 100 per cent sustainable seaweed chips in the UK a year ago and bagging its first national supermarket listing in Morrisons last month, the company will roll out its Sweet Sriracha and Peking Duck 80g share packs (rrp £2) into Booths branches shortly.

The company's 25g packs of Sweet Sriracha, Lightly Salted and Peking Duck chips (rrp £1) will be available in Holland & Barrett stores from September, having successfully retailed the same three lines on the health food firm’s website over the past year.

Wick-based SHORE has expanded its presence in the UK retail market
Wick-based SHORE has expanded its presence in the UK retail market

SHORE co-founder, Keith Paterson, said: "Consumers still snack for pleasure, even if choosing a healthier product, and they don’t want a trade off in taste. Our chip recipes are currently being redeveloped to be HFSS (food and beverage products high in saturated fat, salt and sugar) compliant while still being fried for the right taste and texture, without losing any of their nutrients or unique flavour profile.”

He added: "We’ve seen big demand for our share bags since lockdown but this summer there’s also been a real bounce-back in impulse with sales of our 25g packs booming. This, coupled with our work on HFSS, is fuelling conversations with retailers as they look for compliant products that still deliver on flavour. Our plant-based chips appeal to the growing number of health-conscious consumers who are increasingly seeking sustainably sourced foods, and they are a great entry point for anyone that hasn’t tried seaweed before".

The seaweed snack sector grew by over 30 per cent in the last 12 months and is now worth over £4m at retail. SHORE shipped over 400,000 packs of its seaweed chips in 2021, its first full year after launch.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More