ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Retailers are offering discounts on holiday meal items, as consumers are still grappling with high inflation and rising food costs. According to IRI, the cost for a Thanksgiving meal is up 13.5% over last year.
Walmart is offering its customers last year’s pricing on select holiday meal items through December 26. Items range from traditional staples, including turkey, ham, potatoes and stuffing, to convenience items, such as ready-to-heat mac and cheese and premade pumpkin pie.
“Saving money is a top priority for our customers right now, so this year, we’re removing inflation on an entire basket containing traditional Thanksgiving items,” wrote John Laney, executive vice president, food, Walmart.
Aldi is reducing the cost of holiday meals items, matching 2019 prices for discounts up to 30% off. Discounted items are marked with a Thanksgiving Price Rewind icon throughout the store, and the specials run through November 29.
"Providing amazing products at the absolute lowest prices is what we've always done, and we know right now that's more important than ever," said Dave Rinaldo, president of ALDI U.S. "We expect to welcome tens of millions of customers in our stores this Thanksgiving season, and we want them to know they can count on us."
BJ’s Wholesale is offering its club members a free Butterball whole turkey, fresh or frozen, if they spend $150 in one transaction between November 1-10, in store or online. The club store offered the promotion last year as well.
“We recognize our members are hunting for incredible value, this year more than ever, so as we head into the season of giving, we’re excited to continue our tradition of offering our members a free turkey promotion,” said Michael Leary, senior vice president, GMM, perishables and grocery, BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Inflation is factoring into the rise in holiday meal items this year, as food and beverage costs are up 13.3% year over year. Additionally, this year could become the worst year ever of avian flu outbreaks for poultry, skyrocketing turkey prices. Wholesale turkey prices are at $1.79 a pound in October, which is 40 cents higher than last year’s peak. (Walmart is keeping whole turkeys at $1 a pound.) IRI research shows pies and side dishes are up 19.6% and 18.8%, respectively.