Walmart’s Thanksgiving Meal Basket Price Cuts

On Tuesday, Walmart revealed that its Thanksgiving meal basket will cost under $4 per person this year, which is the lowest price since the program started in 2022.

The bundle, meant to serve 10 people, features over 20 items, such as classic holiday favorites like stuffing, cranberries, green beans, dinner rolls, and ingredients for pumpkin pie. It also includes a 13.5-pound Butterball turkey available at 97 cents per pound. Overall, the basket is priced at under $40.

This pricing strategy presents a notable drop from last year’s offering, which was about $7 per person. Walmart’s move aligns with the trends seen among major retailers gearing up for the important holiday shopping season, particularly as shoppers are still navigating the highest rate of inflation in four decades under President Joe Biden.

The announcement from Walmart follows a similar holiday meal promotion from Aldi, a German discount supermarket chain, indicating growing competition among grocery stores for budget-conscious consumers.

“This year, Walmart is raising the bar even further and offering our most affordable holiday menu ever,” the company emphasized in a statement, adding that millions have purchased the basket since its introduction three years ago.

Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart is not just sticking to traditional meals this holiday season. They’re introducing one-click basket options that align with health-oriented trends, like gluten-free Thanksgiving meals and health-centric baskets loaded with high-protein choices. There’s even an option for a prime rib dinner.

This promotion is timely, as the holiday shopping season, which generally spans from November to January, is crucial for retailers, representing a significant portion of their annual sales. Even with job growth slowing down, the U.S. unemployment rate remains low, and consumer spending holds strong. Walmart’s U.S. CEO noted that customers “remain resilient and continue to spend healthily.”