Maximize your Thanksgiving savings: Lastminute shopping tips and deals
Nov 26, 2024
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — As Thanksgiving approaches, many people will be rushing to get their last-minute shopping done. If you are planning on going, you will want to be making the most bang for your buck these holidays.
Even if you did make a list of needed items and checked it twice – things happen or are missed. Luckily, some grocery stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day if you need an ingredient or two.
Kroger District Manager Christ Pyne said they've put together a bundle that all together, costs $4.85 per person.
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"That is less than it was last year," he said. "So, we are always looking to save our customers money. We know Thanksgiving is a very important time of the year when all the families get together, and everybody is getting together to celebrate. This is our way to give back and to save our customers money."
Kroger's bundle includes all the classic holiday staples, from turkey to mashed potatoes.
Kroger Thanksgiving Day Bundle
For those interested, you can order a bundle at the store. If you don't want Turkey as your centerpiece in the bundle, there are other options, such as ham, to include.
From a survey conducted by the grocery store, a whopping 90% of households said they are celebrating the holiday this year.
The top five must-have items include turkey (83%), stuffing (55%), mashed potatoes (49%), pumpkin pie (30%) and gravy (30%). But cranberry sauce seems to be a divisive choice – 20% of people love it, but it’s also the number one dish people refuse to eat.
"We have many different varieties of spiral sliced hams," he said. "We have many different flavors. We have prime rib roast, we have duck, we have geese, we have many different kinds of poultry that is available for customers."
For shoppers not interested in having turkey as the centerpiece, Pyne says there are other options.
For last-minute shoppers, shortages of supply can be a concern. Turkeys were hard to come by in 2022 due to several factors.
Thanks to months of preparedness, officials predict this holiday season will be smooth sailing for customers.
"In years past, there has been different shortages from manufacturers," stated Pyne. "Whether it be turkeys, whether it is stuffing, or chicken broth. This year however we don't anticipate any shortages on any product. This year is really good. We've got frozen turkeys, we've got fresh turkeys, we have many different sizes."
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For those with a sweet tooth, dessert may top the grocery list. More than 30% of people said pumpkin pie is a must for their holiday feast.
"Of course, we got pumpkin pie, everybody is familiar with that. But if you didn't want pumpkin, we got sweet potato, we got apple, we've got pecan, we've got different sizes," said Pyne. "We've got pie slices; we've got half pies we've got many different options for people to choose from for any shopper that has that sweet tooth."
Officials recommend the best time to shop prior to Thanksgiving Day is early morning Tuesday or Wednesday. The later you shop in the day, the longer the lines will be at the cashier.
To avoid multiple trips to the store, purchase more than you intend to. Curbside pickup is always a good alternative.
Many shoppers are going to be scrambling in grocery aisles up until doors close Thursday. But what if you run out of milk, or butter for the mashed potatoes? Or an extra guest showed up and you need an extra side dish?
Luckily, some grocery stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day for select hours if you need an ingredient or two.
Here's a sampling of stores open or closed and their hours in the Coastal Empire Thanksgiving Day:
Aldi: Closed
Costco: Closed
Dollar General: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Food Lion: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fresh Market: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kroger stores: hours will vary, but close at 4 PM.
Publix: Closed
Sam's Club: Closed.
Target: Closed
Walmart stores: Closed
Whole Foods Market stores: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
If you're seeing your grocery receipt add up quickly, remember, buying in bulk could help you save money.