How Ocean’s Halo is Growing the Seaweed Snack Category
Read the full story here on NielsenIQ.com
Description
Learn how Ocean’s Halo’s innovation in seaweed snacks and Asian-inspired pantry staples earned recognition from NielsenIQ and what it means for the future of better-for-you foods.
Introduction:
Ocean’s Halo is committed to making Asian-inspired pantry staples and seaweed-based foods more accessible through organic products that combine great taste with high-quality ingredients. From seaweed snacks and broths to noodles and sauces, the brand continues to expand its offerings to meet the growing consumer demand for healthier, globally inspired foods.
This commitment to innovation and category growth has recently been recognized by NielsenIQ (NIQ), a leading consumer intelligence company that tracks retail performance and market trends. Ocean’s Halo’s inclusion in NIQ’s coverage highlights the brand’s momentum within the better-for-you food space and reflects the increasing popularity of seaweed snacks and other Asian-inspired pantry staples among today’s consumers.
As shoppers continue to seek convenient, nutritious, and sustainable food options, Ocean’s Halo has focused on developing products that align with these evolving preferences. By combining organic ingredients and authentic flavors, the company has helped introduce more consumers to seaweed snacks while expanding into categories such as broths, ramen, noodles, and sauces.
This article summarizes the key insights from NielsenIQ’s recognition, explores what contributed to Ocean’s Halo’s growth, and explains why these trends are significant for consumers, retailers, and the future of the seaweed snack category.
Key Takeaways:
#1 – Ocean’s Halo is Driving Growth in the Seaweed Snack Category
NielsenIQ highlights Ocean’s Halo’s strong position in the seaweed snack category, particularly at Walmart. According to NIQ, Ocean’s Halo represented approximately 95% of seaweed snack unit sales at Walmart between 2024 and 2025, while the category nearly doubled its share during that period. Ocean’s Halo products also sold more than 200 units per store per week. These results demonstrate the growing consumer interest in seaweed snacks and Ocean’s Halo’s significant role in expanding the category.
#2 – Consumer Data Helps Ocean’s Halo Develop Products Shoppers Want
Ocean’s Halo uses consumer and retail data to better understand changing shopper preferences and identify opportunities for innovation. Insights from NielsenIQ have helped the brand evaluate flavors, products, pricing, and retail performance. This data-driven approach allows Ocean’s Halo to make informed decisions about which products to introduce and how to meet consumer demand across a growing range of Asian-inspired foods.
#3 – Innovation Extends Beyond New Products
For Ocean’s Halo, innovation isn’t limited to creating new flavors and products. The company has also used data to evaluate changes to its packaging. One example highlighted by NielsenIQ is Ocean’s Halo’s decision to remove
plastic trays from its seaweed snack packaging. Sales data showed that the bags without trays were performing strongly, giving the company confidence to expand the packaging change. This demonstrates how consumer and retail data can support both business decisions and sustainability efforts.
#4 – Data Supports Smarter Retail and Growth Decisions
NielsenIQ’s data has also helped Ocean’s Halo make more informed decisions around pricing, promotions, and retail strategy. By understanding how shoppers respond to different price points and promotions, the company can better balance accessibility, sales, and profitable growth. These insights have strengthened Ocean’s Halo’s ability to work with retail partners and respond to changes in the food and beverage marketplace.
Why This Recognition Matters
For Consumers:
The recognition from NielsenIQ reflects the growing demand for convenient, flavorful foods that align with changing consumer preferences. Ocean’s Halo offers a broad selection of Asian-inspired and seaweed-based products, giving shoppers more options when looking for convenient foods with organic and better-for-you choices. As interest in globally inspired flavors and better-for-you foods continues to grow, brands like Ocean’s Halo are helping make these products more accessible to everyday shoppers.
For Retailers:
Ocean’s Halo’s growth demonstrates the opportunity for retailers to meet increasing consumer interest in seaweed snacks and Asian-inspired foods. The brand’s use of retail and consumer data also supports more informed decisions about assortment, pricing, promotions, and new product development. By combining consumer insights with innovation, Ocean’s Halo can work with retail partners to identify products and strategies that respond to shopper demand.
For the Seaweed Snack Category:
Ocean’s Halo’s performance highlights the continued potential of seaweed snacks beyond their traditional consumer base. As more shoppers discover seaweed as a convenient snack option, the category has an opportunity to reach new audiences through different flavors, formats, and product innovations. Ocean’s Halo’s growth at Walmart, highlighted by NielsenIQ, demonstrates how product innovation and consumer insights can help expand the category.
For the Plant-Based Food Industry
Ocean’s Halo’s approach also reflects broader trends within the plant-based food industry. Today’s consumers are looking for convenient foods that offer interesting flavors, accessible ingredients, and options that fit different dietary preferences. By developing products across seaweed snacks, broths, noodles, sauces, and other pantry staples, Ocean’s Halo is helping bring plant-based and Asian-inspired foods into more everyday eating occasions.
How Ocean’s Halo Achieved This Growth
Ocean’s Halo’s growth has been supported by a combination of product innovation, consumer insights, retail partnerships, and a focus on making Asian-inspired foods more accessible.
The company began with seaweed snacks and has continued expanding its portfolio into categories including broths, ramen, noodles, sauces, rice products, and other pantry staples. This broader portfolio allows consumers to experience Ocean’s Halo in different eating occasions, from convenient snacks to everyday meals.
Innovation remains an important part of the brand’s strategy. Ocean’s Halo develops products inspired by Asian flavors and food traditions while focusing on convenient formats that fit into modern lifestyles. Products such as seaweed snacks, ramen and broths, sauces, and newer offerings like Fried Rice Rolls demonstrate the brand’s continued expansion into new categories and formats.
The company also emphasizes organic and better-for-you options across its portfolio, helping consumers incorporate more globally inspired foods into their everyday meals. Rather than focusing on a single product category, Ocean’s Halo has built a broader collection of pantry staples designed to make Asian-inspired flavors more accessible.
Underlying these efforts is a data-driven approach to innovation. As highlighted by NielsenIQ, Ocean’s Halo uses consumer and retail insights to understand what shoppers are looking for and make informed decisions about products, packaging, pricing, and promotions. This combination of consumer insight and innovation has helped the brand continue growing while responding to changes in the marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ocean’s Halo featured by NielsenIQ?
Ocean’s Halo was featured by NielsenIQ for its use of consumer and retail data to support innovation and growth. The success story highlights the brand’s performance in the seaweed snack category, its work with retail partners, and how data has informed decisions around product innovation, packaging, pricing, and promotions.
What products contributed to Ocean’s Halo’s growth?
Ocean’s Halo has grown beyond its original seaweed snack offerings into a broader portfolio of Asian-inspired foods, including broths, ramen, noodles, sauces, rice products, and other pantry staples. NielsenIQ specifically highlights Ocean’s Halo’s performance in the seaweed snack category and the company’s continued focus on product innovation.
What makes Ocean’s Halo different from other seaweed brands?
Ocean’s Halo combines seaweed-based products with a broader portfolio of Asian-inspired pantry staples. The brand focuses on making products inspired by Asian flavors and food traditions more accessible while offering options that include organic and better-for-you choices. The company also uses consumer and retail insights to inform product development and innovation.
Where can I buy Ocean’s Halo products?
Ocean’s Halo products are available through a variety of retailers across the United States. Shoppers can visit the Ocean’s Halo website to explore the brand’s product portfolio and find information about where its products are available.
What is Ocean’s Halo known for?
Ocean’s Halo is known for its seaweed snacks and its growing portfolio of Asian-inspired foods. The brand offers products across categories including seaweed snacks, broths, ramen, noodles, sauces, rice, and other pantry staples.
How does Ocean’s Halo use consumer data?
Ocean’s Halo uses consumer and retail insights to better understand shopper preferences and inform decisions around product innovation, packaging, pricing, promotions, and retail strategy. NielsenIQ’s success story highlights how these insights have supported the company’s growth and innovation.
Explore more from Ocean’s Halo:
- Seaweed Snacks — Explore Ocean’s Halo’s collection of seaweed-based snacks.
- Soups & Broth— Discover Ocean’s Halo’s selection of organic broths.
- Rice & Noodles — Explore ramen, noodle soups, and other noodle products.
- Frozen Rolls – Explore Ocean’s Halo’s one-of-a-kind Fried Rice Rolls
- Condiments – Discover a variety of Asian-inspired condiments
- Recipes — Find recipes and meal inspiration featuring Ocean’s Halo products.
Source
Original NielsenIQ Success Story:
How Ocean’s Halo Used NIQ Data to Drive Innovation and Growth
https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/success-story/2026/oceans-halo-niq-data-growth-innovation/
This article was developed as an original Ocean’s Halo perspective based on NielsenIQ’s published success story. For the original research, findings, and additional information about NielsenIQ’s work with Ocean’s Halo, please refer to the original NielsenIQ article above.
