Grocers have long offered Thanksgiving and holiday meal deals to help entice customers to their stores. This year, Turkey Day savings are steeper than ever as retailers look to appeal to inflation-weary consumers.
Walmart, for example, is serving up what it calls an “inflation-free” promotion, while other retailers are highlighting how their Thanksgiving deals cost less this year. Target’s offering is priced $5 lower than last year’s and Aldi’s basket costs less than it did in 2019.
While major retailers offered a range of meals and savings on individual ingredients last year, at least eight tracked by Grocery Dive this year have committed to serving up Thanksgiving meals for $5 or less per person.
The price per pound for turkey has been the centerpiece of these meal deals. Save A Lot’s deal includes a Honeysuckle White or Jennie-O turkey for 99 cents per pound, while Target’s includes a Good & Gather Premium frozen turkey of up to 10 pounds for 79 cents per pound — 20% less than last year. Going even lower, Lidl’s offering includes a Shady Brook Farms turkey for 39 cents per pound – 10 cents less than the discounter’s promotion in 2023.
Retailers are serving up Thanksgiving meals for $5 or less per person
Some grocers are even including “free” turkeys. The Giant Company’s deal lets consumers redeem 400 loyalty points in exchange for either a free frozen Shady Brook Farms turkey up to 20 pounds, a Tofurky Roast or a Stouffer’s party-size entree.
Given differences in serving sizes and the number of ingredients included, it’s difficult to easily compare grocers’ Thanksgiving meal deals. While many grocers will end their Thanksgiving promotions right around Thanksgiving, Walmart is making its offering available through Dec. 24.
While not a meal deal, BJ’s Wholesale Club has brought back its free turkey promotion this year, giving customers a coupon for a free Butterball turkey after they spend at least $150 in one transaction by Nov. 14.
