Target Offers a $30 Thanksgiving Dinner for Six as Retailers Battle over the Lowest Price
US retailer Target has announced a $30 Thanksgiving meal deal that it says serves six people—about $5 per person—as big retailers compete to offer the cheapest holiday dinner to shoppers squeezed by high prices.
The Minneapolis-based company said last year's deal cost about $20 and served four; this year's version costs about $10 more but feeds six, keeping the per-person cost at roughly $5.
The $30 package includes nine grocery items: a Butterball turkey weighing up to 10 pounds, a 3-pound bag of russet potatoes, cranberry sauce, two cans of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, turkey stuffing mix, turkey gravy and two take-and-bake baguettes.
The ingredients include what is needed to make a green bean casserole, though shoppers should expect to prepare and cook the rest of the meal themselves, Target said.
John Conlin, Target's senior vice president of merchandising for food and beverage, said in a statement that Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving are joyful moments for guests, and that Target is making it easy and budget-friendly to plan meals with familiar favourites plus some of the latest food trends.
The deal runs from November 8 through November 29, before tax, and is not available in Alaska or Hawaii. Separately, a 79-cent-per-pound Good & Gather frozen turkey offer—not the Butterball turkey in the meal deal—begins in November. Target is also promoting an expanded selection of $5 sides, pies, appetisers and wine.
Rivals are competing hard. Aldi says its meal can feed 10 for less than $39; Sam's Club has an 11-item feast for 16 people at about $160; Costco is offering an online-only bundle for $199.99 that it says serves eight and includes 12 items including a turkey breast, sides and desserts; and Walmart's $35 meal basket is advertised to feed 10.
Shopper reaction has been mixed. On social media, some said a 10-pound turkey does not feed six people at their house, while another noted the deal includes no dessert. Others still saw value, especially as grocery prices in the US remain high.
