Seabrook is struggling to meet “unprecedented demand” for its crisps amid the ongoing Walkers shortages.
Exclusive data reveals that a mass of Seabrook products have been out of stock in the mults for several days, with some SKUs unavailable for weeks [Assosia 3 w/e 13 December 2021].
Its Sea Salted 6x30g crisps, for example, have been out of stock in Tesco since 24 November, while its Loaded Fries Cheese & Bacon Flavour 6x19g have been missing from Asda shelves since 1 December.
At the time of writing, Seabrook Cream Cheese & Chives crisps had been unavailable from Morrisons for almost two weeks and the brand’s only SKU listed at Sainsbury’s – its Crinkle Box 30x25g – had been out of stock for seven days.
A spokeswoman for Seabrook-owner Calbee told The Grocer: “We have been facing unprecedented demand in light of competitor issues.
“We are doing everything we can to fulfil increased orders and will continue to do so as the snack category returns to normality.”
Its staff were working “round the clock to help us do this”, she added.
It comes after The Grocer last week reported that supply of Walkers crisps will likely not return to normal levels until well into January.
Walkers has been struck by supply issues since October – understood to be the result of an SAP upgrade at PepsiCo.
Seabrook isn’t the only rival supplier to cash in on Walkers’ struggles.
KP Snacks group sales director Andy Riddle told The Grocer last week the Nik Naks and Hula Hoops owner had “seen accelerated demand levels across our portfolio”.
Smaller crisps brands have gained shelf space too. Lines from Northern Irish Tayto, for example, have been added to Tesco’s meal deal.
The Grocer has approached PepsiCo for comment.
It comes at a buoyant time for Calbee UK. Accounts filed in September 2021 revealed that increased demand for Seabrook Crisps had driven its sales and profits higher, resulting a 2020 turnover of £43.7m.
No comments yet