A retail giant has entered the battle over the lowest-priced budget Thanksgiving dinners to help everyday Americans who are struggling with food costs.
Walmart announced Wednesday it’s selling a $35 holiday meal basket that serves 10 people. The price tag is $5 less than last year and includes 26 items - six more than last year’s basket.
“The holiday meal basket has become one of our favorite traditions at Walmart,” David Guggina, CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a statement. “It brings our purpose to life in such a meaningful way by helping families make the holidays special without stretching their budgets.”
The basket meal includes a frozen Butterball turkey for 97 cents a pound and ingredients for five sides, including Stove Top stuffing, two casseroles and a pumpkin pie.
Walmart is the latest grocery store to roll out a low-price holiday meal as consumers struggle with affordability.
This month, Walmart competitors Aldi, Lidl, Winn-Dixie, Schnucks and Wegmans all rolled out their holiday meal bundles, and all bundles are under $40.
The meals feed anywhere from six to 10 people and vary in the sides they offer:
- Walmart: $35 for 10 people
- Aldi: $38.74 for 10 people
- Lidl: $35.86 for 10 people
- Winn-Dixie: $38.90 for 6 people
- Target: $30 for 6 people
- Schnucks: Under $40, serves 10 people
- Wegmans: Under $40, serves 8 people
Schnucks and Wegmans, two regional grocers, have not released the exact price of their meals yet.
Walmart’s holiday bundle is $3.50 per person, making it the most affordable for shoppers looking to save money ahead of Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Affordability remains a top concern among consumers heading into November and December. Roughly 43.8 percent say paying for the holidays is their biggest source of stress this season, according to a Walmart survey released in October.
That fret is leading shoppers to focus on sales and discounts, an October poll from industry advocate National Retail Federation revealed.
Some 43 percent of consumers plan to shop for sales more often than usual and another 31 percent will comparison shop more than they typically do.
“With affordability top of mind, holiday shoppers are taking a thoughtful approach to spending, balancing value with preserving traditions that make the holiday season special,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller said in a statement.
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