Kroger VP reveals top 5 Thanksgiving items starting at $1 shoppers ‘love’

KROGER has positioned itself as the place to shop over Thanksgiving this year with affordable pricing on popular items.

The retailer is set to have the most in-demand food and drink options for Americans to prepare after a recent survey.

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Tom Duncan, vice president and head of marketing at Kroger, insisted that the survey was vital to know what customers needed in 2024.

“Thanksgiving is such a special time of year, and we take pride in knowing exactly what is important to our customers during this holiday season,” Duncan noted in a Monday press release.

“No matter how they choose to celebrate, we’re happy to provide our customers with value on the items they need, want, and love this Thanksgiving.”

Kroger’s data and insight branch, 84.51, found that at least 90% of households who frequent the chain would celebrate the holiday, per the release.

That meant there would be a lot of necessities purchased in the upcoming weeks at Kroger’s 1,242 locations nationwide.

To prepare, Kroger asked survey participants what Thanksgiving items they wanted and found a trend toward “traditional” offerings.

JUST THE ESSENTIALS

There were at least five traditional “must-haves” for many shoppers.

At least 83% of those surveyed said they wanted their Thanksgiving meal from Kroger to include a turkey first and foremost.

About 55% said stuffing was also essential, 49% noted mashed potatoes, 30% said pumpkin pie and another 30% voted for gravy.

A runner-up sixth essential was cranberry sauce at 20%.

Still, it was ranked by some respondents as a dish they would “refuse to eat” on Thanksgiving.

Turkey was 78% of Kroger shoppers’ main protein dish of preference, with ham coming in a distant second at 15%, and then the remaining 7% was left to chicken, brisket, roast beef, or tofu, respectively.

DEALS FOR DAYS

According to additional data gathered by 84.51, Thanksgiving sales of pie and gravy go up by over 200%, stuffing by 800%, and turkey and cranberry sauce by as much as 1000%.

Kroger said it found most customers still plan to save money on all of the items that they buy for the holiday, with 71% of respondents looking to get deals and sales, which the retailer plans to offer.

Kroger delivery policy

Kroger offers same day delivery via Instacart

Shoppers can pay $6.95 for delivery within two hours.

Those who need something quicker can get items in as little as 30 minutes.

Orders must be a minimum of $10 to get quicker delivery.

Customers can save $15 on their first delivery order of $75 or more

There are “hot weekly digital deals” and in-store discounts throughout November, with over $800 in savings available.

Through its Our Brands selection, customers can get Kroger Turkey Stuffing, Simple Truth Gold Potatoes, and Kroger Au Jus Gravy at low prices with “no compromise on quality,” according to Monday’s release.

BASKET BONUS

Some ingredients for Thanksgiving dishes are starting as low as $1, and Kroger is offering its “Freshgiving” basket with all of the must-haves to feed a group of ten for less than $4.85 per person.

That’s only $48.50 and competes with similar offerings from competitors.

Aldi’s is the most similar, with a Thanksgiving meal deal including a Butterball turkey and other traditional dishes for $47 that feeds 10.

Walmart’s is arguably the next best option, feeding eight people through 29 items and ingredients at just over $50.

For smaller family gatherings of four or less this Thanksgiving, Target is also offering a basket for $20 with six sides.

Even Dollar General has a “buy two, get one free” deal on Thanksgiving favorites as low as $1 to make a basket this year.

There’s also a simple switch shoppers can make to save at least $17 on Thanksgiving meals this year.