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The basics:

• Lidl, Walmart, Target, Stop & Shop, Aldi & Amazon Fresh offer Thanksgiving meal bundles from $20–$40
• Retailers emphasize affordability amid grocery price pressures
• Several chains match turkey prices or offer one-click meal shopping options
• Wells Fargo reports typical Thanksgiving dinners cost 2%–3% less this year

As planning for Thanksgiving gets underway, big-name food retailers are cutting prices on classic holiday dinner items as a way to offer shoppers some savings.

Here’s a look at the deals chains with a New Jersey presence are promoting:

Lidl U.S. – Feed 10 for less than $36

Through Nov. 26, the Arlington, Va.-based deep-discount chain is offering a Thanksgiving bundle that can feed 10 people for less than $36 – or less than $3.60 per person.

The basket includes a 13-pound frozen turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, and mac & cheese, as well as the ingredients for sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. All items are sold separately in stores so shoppers can build their own feast based on their hosting needs, according to the grocer.

Locally, Lidl still has over two dozen stores, including sites in Hackensack, Paramus, Livingston, Freehold, Morristown, Bergenfield, Park Ridge, Elmwood Park, Weehawken, Belleville, Bayonne, Union, Garwood, Woodbridge, Hazlet, North Brunswick, Cherry Hill, Brick Township and Eatontown.

Throughout the holiday season, Lidl is encouraging customers to get into the spirit by donating to Feeding America at the register for hunger relief efforts.

Lidl U.S. CEO Joel Rampoldt commented, “With grocery prices continuing to be a challenge for families, we understand how vital great value is this holiday season.” He went on to say how honored his company is “to help make Thanksgiving more accessible.”

“We hope our bundle helps bring people together this year to enjoy a holiday feast that’s as delicious as it is affordable,” he said.

Walmart – Feed 10 for $39.93

The big box chain’s holiday meal basket costs $39.93 for a family of 10 – less than $4 per person. Walmart noted that the cost is also 25% cheaper than last year’s bundle.

Available until Christmas Day, the traditional holiday meal includes a 13.5-pound Butterball turkey, Kinder’s crispy fried onions, Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, Stove Top turkey stuffing, dinner rolls, russet potatoes, fresh cranberries, baby carrots, canned corn, canned green beans, mac & cheese, brown gravy mix, pie crusts, evaporated milk and canned pure pumpkin.

To make it easier for shoppers, Walmart has create a one-click shopping list for its Thanksgiving basket, gluten-free Thanksgiving meal, prime rib meal basket and balanced Thanksgiving meal made with high-protein ingredients like cauliflower mashed potatoes.

The chain is also working with the Salvation Army to help families in need. Until Christmas Eve, Walmart will match up to $500,000 in donations made by customers checking out online.

Within New Jersey, Walmart has 70 stores.

Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said, “We know every dollar and minute counts – which is why we are offering a low priced, one-click Thanksgiving Meal Basket featuring iconic brands like Butterball and Stove Top alongside trusted Walmart private brand items. We want every family to be able to share a meal and celebrate without compromising on quality, quantity or tradition.”

Target – Feed four for less than $20

At Target, customers can expect to pay less than $20 for all they’ll feed a family of four. According to the Minneapolis-headquartered retailer, this year’s Turkey Day dinner cost is its “lowest price ever.”

The meal includes a 10-pound frozen turkey, five-pound bag of Good & Gather russet potatoes, 14-ounce can of Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce, 6-ounce box of Stove Top stuffing mix, 12-ounce Heinz home style roasted turkey gravy, Favorite Day soft French bread and a bag of Good & Gather frozen corn.

Additionally, the chain is offering seasonal pies for $4.99, as well as seasonal decorative items, ceramics and glassware for less than $20.

Target has 53 stores in New Jersey.

Lisa Roath, the company’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty, shared, “What I love about Target during the holidays is our ability to help families celebrate in style while spending less — and that’s exactly what we’re doing this Thanksgiving.”

Stop & Shop – Feed 10 for less than $40

Through Nov. 27, customers can purchase all the ingredients needed to prepare a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people for less than $40.

Stop & Shop’s feast includes a 10-pound Shady Brook Farms frozen turkey, 16-ounce package of store brand dinner rolls, two 12-ounce jars of Heinz Gravy, two packages of Stove Stop stuffing mix, two cans of Del Monte Vegetables, two packages of store brand microwavable mashed potatoes, one Reser’s holiday side, one can of cranberry sauce, one carton of Swanson broth or stock, one container of Cool Whip dessert topping and one 8-inch traditional pumpkin pie.

The chain is matching turkey prices from competitors until Nov. 27 for customers who bring in ads. Stop & Shop has a limit of two turkeys per shopper on that offer.

For those not planning to cook, Stop & Shop is offering a limited-time prepared Thanksgiving plate for anyone dining solo, craving a quick holiday-inspired meal or looking for convenience. The prepackaged 12-ounce meal includes turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn for just $7.99 while supplies last.

Stop & Shop’s 350-plus store footprint across the Northeast includes about 50 supermarkets in New Jersey.

“For more than a century, Stop & Shop has been proud to help families celebrate the holidays. This year, we want our customers to feel confident that they’re getting real value without having to sacrifice the quality of their holiday meal,” said Stop & Shop President Roger Wheeler. “It’s another example of how we’re listening to our shoppers and bringing more value across our stores to make every day, and every holiday, more affordable.”

Aldi U.S. – Feed 10 for $40

The Batavia, Ill.-based, no-frills chain is selling a $40 bundle that will feed a family of 10. According to Aldi, that’s $7 less than last year’s deal.

Available until Dec. 24, the lineup includes over 20 items such as a whole turkey, chicken broth, condensed cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk, Hawaiian sweet rolls, miniature marshmallows, cut green beans, 100% pure canned pumpkin, mac & cheese, brown gravy mix, poultry spices and herbs, French fried onions, pie crust, whipped dairy topping, yellow onions, baby peeled carrots, celery, cranberries, sweet potatoes and russet potatoes.

Aldi’s 2,500 stores nationwide include 67 in New Jersey.

Aldi U.S. CEO Atty McGrath remarked, “The Aldi commitment to low prices is unwavering and I am thrilled that we are able to offer an even more affordable holiday meal than last year. Saving our shoppers money is our mission every day – but is especially important during the holidays when they need it most.”

Amazon Fresh – Feed five for $25

For $25, shoppers can build a full spread for five in-store at Amazon Fresh or via Amazon’s same-day delivery in eligible locations.

Valid through Nov. 27, the deal includes an 8-pound Butterball frozen turkey and the following Reser’s side dishes: homestyle stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and green bean casserole, along with Amazon Grocery crescent rolls and a holiday pie.

There are four Amazon Fresh stores in New Jersey: Paramus, Lodi, Eatontown and Woodland Park.

The offer is available to all Amazon shoppers regardless of Prime membership. However, Prime members have access to an exclusive grocery delivery subscription, special benefits, and deals online and in-store.

At Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market, Prime members can buy 365 by Whole Foods Market turkeys at $1.49 a pound for frozen items and $2.99 a pound for organic items through Dec. 24. Prime members can also get 20% off six or more 750 milliliter bottles of wine at Amazon Fresh online and in-store through the end of November.

Whole Foods Market has more than two dozen stores in New Jersey.

‘A festive … meal without breaking the bank’

Although grocery prices overall rose about 2.7% year over year, the cost of a traditional 10-person Thanksgiving meal fell by 2% to 3% thanks to lower turkey prices, aggressive retailer promotions, and national-brand competition with private-label products, according to a new report by the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

After tracking the prices of Thanksgiving dinner staples, Wells Fargo found the total cost of the meal will be around $80 if prepared using store brand products and about $95 is made from national brand name products. According to the analysis, budget conscious shoppers will have room to mix and match depending on tastes and brand loyalty.

Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute Chief Agriculture Economist Michael Swanson wrote, “This Thanksgiving, consumers have more control over their grocery budgets than they might expect.”

“While inflation continues to impact certain categories like beef and dairy, shoppers who stick to a traditional Thanksgiving menu and shop wisely between national and store brands can unlock meaningful savings. With thoughtful choices and a bit of planning, the CFOs of the Thanksgiving table can deliver a festive, satisfying meal without breaking the bank,” he said.

This Thanksgiving, consumers have more control over their grocery budgets than they might expect.
– Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute chief agriculture economist

The analysis noted that the holiday meal has been able to buck the overall food inflation trend because many of the items currently seeing higher prices – like beef and eggs – aren’t central to a typical Thanksgiving spread.

Setting the table

According to Wells Fargo, turkey is cheaper this year, with retail prices for national brand birds down about 3.7% this year.

Some side items have also seen significant price decreases, such as:

• National brand frozen vegetables 15%
• Store brand dinner rolls 22%
• Stuffing, gravy mix and fresh cranberries 3% to 4%
• National brand pumpkin pie 3%

As for what will be more expensive this year, Wells Fargo said prepackaged salad mix is up 0.3%, whipped cream is 3% higher and beer rose 3%. Two-liter bottles of soda will cost 7% more but 12-ounce cans of soda fell 3%, the report said.