Higher grocery prices are set to make holiday hosting more stressful, according to a recent Omnisend survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers. While 50% of respondents say rising costs add pressure, a solid majority still plan to host or bring food to family gatherings.
Key survey findings
• 53% of shoppers intend to take part in holiday gatherings by hosting or providing food.
• 33% expect to spend more on holiday groceries than last year.
• 20% feel pressure to “do it right” when hosting.
Price increases driving concern
Food‑at‑home prices were up 2.2% in August from a year earlier, with staple items climbing faster: uncooked poultry such as turkey rose 11.5%, and beef and veal increased 5.9%.
How shoppers plan to save
Consumers are adopting several tactics to keep holiday spending in check:
- 35% will use coupons or discount codes.
- 27% plan to set a strict holiday budget.
- 23% intend to wait for sales before buying.
- 19% expect to buy fewer items overall.
- 26% say they will start holiday shopping earlier, with 29% of those doing so to spread costs across more paychecks.
Greg Zakowicz, ecommerce and retail adviser to Omnisend, explained that shoppers are focused on value and “the best bang for the buck.” He noted that many families may ask guests to bring dishes rather than cancel gatherings entirely.
Where shoppers are buying
Walmart emerged as the top choice for holiday grocery shopping, with 37% of respondents planning to shop there. Local or independent stores captured 11%, Kroger 10%, Amazon 7.5%, Target 7%, Costco 6.7% and Aldi 5.8%.
Zakowicz said retailers like Walmart and Costco appeal to value‑seeking shoppers because they offer store‑brand options and the convenience of buying multiple categories in one trip.
Debt concerns
Even with budgeting efforts, 44% of consumers expect to carry holiday‑related debt into the new year.
Overall, the survey suggests that while higher grocery prices are a source of stress, most Americans remain committed to preserving holiday traditions by budgeting wisely and sharing the financial load.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
