As the nation’s grocery giants clamor to win over inflation-battered Americans ahead of the holiday season, Amazon has entered the meal deal battle with a Thanksgiving offer that is $10 less than Walmart’s.
The Jeff Bezos-owned firm on Monday unveiled a $25 Thanksgiving meal bundle including turkeys as low as 79 cents a pound, as well as ingredients for classic sides like mac & cheese and pumpkin pie for dessert.
Now through Nov. 26 while supplies last, customers can order an eight-pound Butterball turkey and all the ingredients needed for stuffing, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry sauce and crescent rolls. Amazon Prime members get free same-day delivery.
The deal is even cheaper than Walmart’s $35 offer, which can feed a table of 10 for just $3.50 a person and is the chain’s lowest price ever – but there are a few catches.
Both Amazon and Walmart include name brands and private labels in their holiday bundles. Amazon’s deal includes just 15 items, while Walmart’s boasts 26 items – an 18% increase over last year – including whipped topping for pie and the ingredients for corn muffins and sweet potato casserole.
Walmart’s deal can feed 10 people. Amazon did not say how many people its Thanksgiving offering can feed, but last year, its meal deal could only feed five – which could help explain the price difference.
Grocery chains are eager to win over Americans who have grown frustrated with stubborn inflation and rising gasoline prices amid the Iran war.
Despite record-low consumer sentiment figures, spending has remained resilient – though economists have noted a split between wealthier and lower-income consumers, where the top half has seen a boost from stock holdings and the bottom half is forced to eat into their savings.
Amazon announced several other holiday-related deals on Monday, including fresh turkey for 99 cents a pound from Nov. 14 through Nov. 26; Thanksgiving staples like stuffing and cranberry sauce for under $4 from Nov. 1 through Nov. 26; 40% off charcuterie and party snacks from Nov. 2 through Nov. 14; and 40% off pre-made sides from Nov. 15 through Nov. 26.
It also announced other deals on hosting essentials, like 20% off select Hefty plates, utensils and cups from Nov. 14 through Nov. 19; 20% to 25% off McCormick cooking and baking supplies from Nov. 19 through Nov. 30; and 20% off select Ziploc products from Nov. 26 through Nov. 30 to prep for Thanksgiving leftovers.