Aldi Offers Its Lowest-Priced Thanksgiving Meal in Five Years Amidst Inflation Concerns

Discount grocery chain Aldi has announced its lowest-priced Thanksgiving meal deal in five years, aiming to attract cost-conscious consumers during a period of inflation concerns. The company’s newly introduced “inflation-busting holiday meal” is priced at $47.00, catering to ten people, which breaks down to $4.70 per person. Remarkably, this price is approximately $2 less than that offered by Aldi’s larger rival, Walmart.

As per a press release from Aldi, the Thanksgiving spread includes traditional fare such as a Butterball turkey, gravy, rolls, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, and ingredients for preparing cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. The availability of the meal may vary depending on store locations and assumes a 16-pound turkey.

Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi, commented on the initiative, stating, “With 25% of U.S. households now shopping Aldi, we know grocery prices are still top of mind.” This announcement reflects a broader trend of consumers shifting from brand-name items to private labels, an arena in which Aldi’s private-label-dominated inventory provides a competitive edge.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, as of 2023, a 16-pound frozen turkey averages $27.35, accounting for 45% of the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for ten, which is estimated at $61.17, or approximately $6.12 per person. The Federation is anticipated to release its 2024 cost predictions next month.

Inflation in the U.S. has decreased to its lowest level since February 2021, thanks to lower gas prices and modest increases in food costs. However, market analysts continue to observe the trends closely, declaring inflation as “dying, but not dead.”

Aldi, a Germany-based company, operates around 2,300 stores across the United States and has plans for expansion. Earlier in 2023, the company announced its ambitious $9 billion plan to open 800 new stores nationwide by the end of 2028. Despite its smaller format size of about 12,000 square feet compared to typical U.S. supermarkets, Aldi maintains that its low-cost business model allows its prices to be up to 50% cheaper than traditional grocery stores.