Dive Brief:
- Amazon and Whole Foods have announced this year’s Thanksgiving turkey deals, according to a company press release. The grocer will sell select organic turkeys for $3.49 a pound and classic turkeys for $2.49 a pound for all shoppers.
- Prime members will receive discounted pricing, with organic turkeys for $2.99 a pound and classic turkeys at $1.99 a pound. The special price will run from Nov. 13 through 28, while supplies last, the company said.
- Whole Foods will source its turkeys from suppliers like Diestel, Mary’s Organic and Koch Turkey Farms that meet its quality standards for turkeys free of antibiotics, no animal by-products in feed and suppliers that undergo animal welfare audits.
Dive Insight:
This year’s turkey deals are identical to what Whole Foods offered last year for both Prime members and non-members. That could attract cost-conscious shoppers who might otherwise shy away from Whole Foods for their holiday shopping. Absent from this year’s promotion is a discount on groceries for customers who sign up for a Prime membership, which Amazon offered to Whole Foods shoppers during last year’s Thanksgiving shopping season.
In addition to turkey deals, Prime members will receive discounts on other products needed for Thanksgiving dinner such as organic jewel sweet potatoes for $1.29 a pound, a 12-ounce bag of organic cranberries for $2.69 and 35% off Bonafide frozen broths and soups.
Whole Foods also surveyed its shoppers about their turkey preferences ahead of Thanksgiving Day, and nearly half said it’s important to have an organic Thanksgiving turkey. Among millennials, that figure rises to 62%. About 59% of respondents who are responsible for buying or cooking their turkey will choose a bird that’s 18 pounds or less.
Among other findings, Whole Foods learned that 24% of those surveyed dedicate half or more of their plate to turkey. About 50% of respondents prefer turkey breast, while 19% prefer a turkey leg and 14% choose the thigh. A majority of people (63%) prefer traditional roasted turkey over smoked (22%) or deep-fried (21%).
Last-minute shoppers can still have their turkey and all the fixings delivered from Whole Foods to their house as late as 2 p.m. Thanksgiving day in some cities, or they can opt for grocery pickup until 1 p.m. on the holiday where available.