In the competitive landscape of Thanksgiving grocery shopping, Aldi and Walmart are vying to offer the lowest-priced meals for families. Aldi has positioned itself as a leader this year, introducing its lowest-cost Thanksgiving basket in five years, priced at under $47 for a meal that serves 10 people. This translates to less than $4.70 per person, significantly undercutting Walmart’s offering, which is estimated at $7 per person for a meal that feeds eight people.
Both retailers are capitalizing on consumer concerns over food inflation, which remains a key issue despite some easing. While food-at-home inflation has slowed, retail prices continue to be high due to a significant gap between wholesale and consumer prices, particularly affecting holiday staples like turkey and ham. Aldi’s basket includes essential items for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, while Walmart highlights an “inflation-free” meal priced lower than last year. Walmart is also promoting charitable giving by allowing shoppers to donate meals to local Salvation Army units.
As consumers prepare for the holiday, they are encouraged to shop early and take advantage of sales, with turkey prices expected to drop further leading up to Thanksgiving. However, despite wholesale price reductions, consumers may not fully see these savings, particularly for items like ham and other side dishes, which have increased in price. Aldi remains the price leader, offering up to 40% savings compared to conventional supermarkets.
