A BetterBasket for Thanksgiving
Which grocer has the best Thanksgiving prices?
Feasting for less: Comparing Thanksgiving 2024 promotions
Thanksgiving is here, and so are the holiday grocery deals! In a year marked by continued price sensitivity, grocers are vying to deliver the best value. Aldi led the charge with a 10-person Thanksgiving meal priced under $47, Target followed with a four-person spread for less than $20, and Walmart offered an eight-person bundle for just over $50.
But which grocer truly delivers the most value for your dollar? With our advanced product-matching algorithm, we conducted an in-depth, apples-to-apples and basket-to-basket comparison to find out which retailer deserves your hard-earned money.
🧺 Best deal? Aldi comes close, but another retailer takes the honors
Aldi impresses with budget-friendly pricing, offering a representative Thanksgiving basket for just under $20—more than double the value compared to Albertsons, where the same basket would cost over $40. The discount retailer holds up its reputation, with a turkey priced at just $10.
However, even Aldi’s turkey deal is outdone by promotions from other grocers, such as Publix at $5.88 and Stop & Shop at $6.37. Stop & Shop ultimately claims the top spot for Thanksgiving value, offering a complete holiday basket for just $16.40 in Rhode Island—a clear win for savvy shoppers looking to stretch their dollar.
🏷️ Private Label continues to give shoppers a deal
Shoppers looking to save this Thanksgiving should turn to private label products, which consistently deliver value. Our analysis reveals that private label items are, on average, 37% cheaper than their branded counterparts. For a full Thanksgiving basket, this translates to a 10% overall discount—a significant saving for holiday hosts.
Staples like green beans, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce are among the most common private-label swaps, offering nearly identical quality at a fraction of the cost. When planning your holiday feast, don’t overlook these budget-friendly options—they might just make your Thanksgiving even sweeter.
🌏 Geographic Pricing: Where You Shop Matters
Grocers continue to use geographic pricing strategies, leading to significant cost differences across regions. As expected, high-cost-of-living areas like California and New York see prices among the highest, with baskets averaging $45. However, Hawaii tops the list this year, with a Thanksgiving basket priced at $46, making it the most expensive state for holiday essentials.