If you’re a Walmart shopper, you may have noticed that live lobsters are no longer available for purchase. But when did Walmart stop selling live lobster?.
The answer may surprise you. We’ll talk about why Walmart decided to stop selling live seafood in this article, as well as what other options seafood lovers have.
For decades shoppers meandering through Walmart stores could find tanks of live lobster awaiting their selection. But in recent years this staple has disappeared from the retail giant’s seafood sections across North America.
When exactly did Walmart stop selling live lobster, and what spurred this monumental decision? Let’s delve into the history and future of live lobster sales at Walmart.
A Retail Staple No More
Walmart began phasing out live lobster sales in 2019, though the transition took time to fully implement By October 2021, live lobsters were no longer available for purchase in any Walmart stores.
This removal ended a long-standing tradition of keeping crustaceans in store tanks. For shoppers accustomed to hand-selecting their lobsters, the change meant altering where and how they buy this quintessential seafood.
Driving Factors Behind the Decision
Several factors drove Walmart’s choice to cease live lobster sales. Most prominently, demand for live seafood had substantially declined over the years among pet owners and home chefs.
Walmart had previously supplied up to 30% of live freshwater and saltwater fish in the pet trade globally. But as interest in home aquariums waned, maintaining live inventories became less viable and profitable. Lobsters fell victim to the same diminishing sales.
Animal welfare also entered the equation. Keeping live creatures in captivity raised ethical concerns, especially given reports of improper living conditions in some store tanks. These factors together sealed the deal for Walmart executives.
A Retail Leader in Seafood Sustainability
While live lobster sales are gone, Walmart maintains a strong commitment to providing sustainable, responsibly-sourced seafood. The company targets 20 key commodities, including seafood, for sustainable sourcing by 2025.
For example, Walmart transitioned its Great Value canned tuna to meet sustainability standards in 2021, well ahead of projections. The company also drives sustainability through supplier partnerships, public reporting, and consumer education campaigns.
This proactive approach shows why Walmart is considered a leader in retail sustainability efforts. It demonstrates that meeting consumer demand and ethics can go hand-in-hand, even when requiring difficult changes.
The Future of Live Lobster Sales
The disappearance of live lobster tanks at Walmart may signal a broader industry shift away from showcasing live seafood.
Target, Kroger, and other major retailers still offer live lobster. But pressure from animal activists continues, making it likely that more chains will follow Walmart’s lead over time.
Grocers can point shoppers to pre-cooked and frozen lobster options that eliminate live storage concerns. Sourcing from suppliers with humane harvesting practices also helps address ethical objections.
Live lobster sales are unlikely to vanish entirely from retail. However, they may become a rarity reserved for specialized seafood markets and local fishermen. This shift promises progress for animal welfare without fully eliminating consumer choice.
An Adjustment for Lobster Lovers
For shoppers accustomed to hand-selecting lobsters from bubbling tanks, the transition may feel disappointing. The experience offered a sense of freshness and participation in the food journey.
However, high-quality pre-cooked and frozen options are readily available. Checking sustainability certifications like MSC can help identify responsibly harvested seafood as well.
Discussing concerns with store seafood department staff can uncover local, ethical lobster sources to support too. With an open mind, shoppers can discover that exceptional lobster dinners don’t require live retail tanks after all.
Walmart’s removal of live lobster ended a decades-long shopping tradition but also reflected growing ethical and business realities. As consumer values and priorities evolve, retailers must also adjust to align with emerging societal standards. For lobster lovers, it simply means rethinking traditions while still enjoying this delicious crustacean.
The Decision To Stop Selling Live Lobster
Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters was primarily driven by a lack of demand for live seafood. The company used to supply a lot of freshwater and marine fish to the pet market around the world, but the need for pet fish has gone down a lot over the years. This shift in demand has led Walmart to reassess its live seafood offerings.
The decision to stop selling live lobsters was also seen as a bold move by ethicists and marketers. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been campaigning to free the lobsters from their tank, and other grocery stores have joined them. Safeway, which has about 1,700 stores in the US and Canada, also stopped selling live lobsters not long ago after emptying its tanks.
Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters was not immediate across all stores due to complicated processing. However, by October 2021, Walmart had completely stopped selling live lobsters throughout their system. Animal rights groups, who have long been against grocery stores selling live animals, were happy about this move.
When Did Walmart Stop Selling Live Lobster?
Walmart made the decision to stop selling live lobsters in their stores back in 2019. However, not all stores immediately stopped selling them. Some branches continued to sell live lobsters for a few more months due to complicated processing.
By October 2021, Walmart had completely stopped selling live lobsters throughout their system. This decision was primarily due to a lack of demand for live seafood. Walmart used to sell up to 30% of the world’s freshwater and marine fish to the global pet market, but the demand for pet fish has dropped significantly over time.
People who work in ethics and marketing thought it was brave of Walmart to stop selling live lobsters and other animals. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been campaigning to free the lobsters from their tank, and other grocery stores have joined them. Safeway, which has about 1,700 stores in the US and Canada, also stopped selling live lobsters not long ago after emptying its tanks.
Lily & The Walmart Lobsters
FAQ
Did Walmart ever sell live lobsters?
Why did they stop selling live lobsters?
How long do grocery stores keep live lobsters?
Did Walmart have a lobster tank?
Why did Walmart stop selling live lobsters?
Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters was primarily driven by a lack of demand for live seafood. The company used to provide a significant portion of the world’s freshwater and marine fish to the global pet market, but over time, the demand for pet fish has significantly decreased.
Why did Walmart stop selling live fish?
Walmart used to provide up to 30% of the world’s freshwater and marine fish to the global pet market, but over time, the demand for pet fish has significantly decreased. Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters and other live animals has been seen as a bold move by ethicists and marketers.
Does Safeway still sell lobster?
Safeway, with some 1,700 stores in the US and Canada, also recently drained its tanks and stopped selling live lobsters. Walmart has been working towards sustainable seafood sourcing since 2006, with a goal to sustainably source at least 20 key commodities by 2025, including seafood.
Does Walmart sell live fish?
No, live fish were the only animals ever offered for sale at Walmart. You‘ll notice they don‘t sell live species of: Petco and Petsmart provide a much wider selection of live animals beyond just fish. Since discontinuing fish sales, Walmart focuses exclusively on pet supplies for companion animals. Why Did Walmart Get Rid of Live Lobster Tanks?