A significant proportion of fish and seafood is sold through large retailers in certain countries. In the UK, for example, 80% of seafood is sold through large retailers such as supermarkets. Some multiple retailers are vertically integrated and may own or have significant control over upstream supply chain activities, such as production and processing. Hence retailers can be able to influence food loss and waste (FLW) upstream as well as downstream at the consumer level. It is reasonable to assume that the majority of FLW will be fresh fish, as disposal of frozen and ambient products would be expected to be minimal due to the long shelf life of these products.

A UK study found the average figures for retail waste of 5% for fresh fish, 1% for frozen fish.  This amounts to an estimated 6,800tpa of retail waste for the 17 fish species of interest to the study. Retail waste was defined as products that do not sell at full price and are therefore considered as a commercial waste to the retailer. This, however, does not necessarily reflect the amount of material that goes for final disposal. Most of the retail waste was said to be avoidable.