The holiday table: Turkey, comfort foods and retail trends taking center stage 

By: Courtney Shum 

As we gear up for holidays, grocery stores across the nation are painting a vivid picture of the holiday season with their promotional trends and holiday tables. From turkey overload to the rise of convenience-driven meal solutions, here’s what’s capturing shoppers’ attention this week. 

Turkey rules the roost 

It’s no surprise that turkey takes center stage this Thanksgiving season at the holiday table, dominating 29% of all protein advertisements—a significant leap from last week’s 11.8%. For context, that even outpaces pork, which holds 26.4% of the retail ad share. 

• Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh whole turkeys lead the charge, accounting for 50% of all turkey promotions. Frozen turkeys follow close behind at 40.5%. 

• Egging Out the Competition: Egg advertisements may still be scarce, with less than 1% of the share, but they are quietly gaining traction, supported by big-box retailers offering competitive prices. 

The rise of ham and roasts 

While turkey reigns supreme, ham and roasts are making their move toward the holiday table menus: 

• Ham Highlights: Spiral-sliced fresh hams averaged $3.32 per pound—14 cents higher than last year. Boneless smoked hams are pricier, at $5.28 per pound discounted, reflecting the steady demand. 

• Roast Boom: Beef roasts saw a year-over-year (YOY) price increase of 2.6%, averaging $5.87 discounted, while pork loin roasts dropped 22 cents to $3.77. Budget-conscious shoppers found shoulder roasts at an economical $2.15, down slightly from 2023. 

Frozen foods and comfort favorites surge 

Busy holiday schedules mean frozen and prepared foods are flying off the shelves. Shoppers are stocking up on quick meal solutions for gatherings, leaning into cold-weather comfort classics: 

• Breakfast Buzz: Seasonal demand for breakfast staples is on the rise, with eggs remaining a cost-effective protein option. 

• Egg Economics: Fresh White Grade A large eggs averaged $3.72 per dozen—higher than $3.00 in 2023 but still a top choice for affordability. Total egg sales for the week ending November 17, 2024, hit $189.5 million, edging out beef sales at $187.9 million. 

Chicken and beef keep competitive 

Other protein categories are adapting to seasonal demand, offering competitive deals: 

• Chicken Trends: Fresh chicken breasts averaged $4.36 discounted, down 12 cents YOY. Thighs and leg quarters also saw modest discounts, making them appealing options for budget-minded consumers. 

• Ground Beef Gains: Ground beef remains a mainstay for many shoppers, with 78–84% lean varieties promoted at an average of $5.12 per pound—a 4.5% YOY increase. 

Explore the full breakdown 

Want to dive deeper into the week’s trends across seafood, meat, and poultry categories? Subscribers can unlock detailed insights on the Retail Dashboard via the COMTELL homepage. 

Holiday insights at your fingertips 

As shoppers finalize their holiday menus, it’s clear that turkey and ham aren’t the only stars of the show. With a growing focus on comfort foods, frozen options and budget-friendly proteins, the season is shaping up to be as diverse as the menus we’ll enjoy. Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to the year-end festivities! 

For further insights, please watch our most recent red meat webinar replay.