Supply Chain Woes Have Consumers Gobbling Up Thanksgiving Fixings Early

Rhea-AI Summary

A recent survey reveals that 23% of Americans have started shopping for Thanksgiving groceries early due to ongoing supply chain issues, with 35% planning to shop sooner than usual. Concerns about turkey availability and pricing were noted, with 20% worried they may not find the right size or type. Despite challenges, 70% of respondents intend to cook at home, with a mix of in-store and online grocery shopping. Oracle emphasizes the need for retailers to adapt to changing consumer behaviors to manage inventory effectively during this holiday season.

Positive

• 70% of consumers plan to cook at home for Thanksgiving, indicating stable home cooking trends.
• Consumers are proactive, with 23% shopping early and 35% planning to shop sooner, which could drive sales.
• Increased consumer awareness of supply chain issues may lead to stronger demand for Oracle's retail solutions.

Negative

• 20% are concerned about turkey shortages and high prices, which could impact holiday sales.
• 26% of consumers are prepared to visit multiple stores, potentially reflecting weak supply chains and affecting retailers' sales.

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are worried about the impact supply chain issues and high prices will have on Thanksgiving. As a result, nearly a quarter (23%) of those surveyed in the past week have already shopped for their non-perishable items and 35% plan to shop earlier than normal for Thanksgiving groceries. Twenty percent worry they won't be able to find all the ingredients they need and 26% are prepared to go to multiple stores to find them. 

"Supply chain worries continue to disrupt traditional shopping behaviors and stores need to be ready," said Mike Webster, senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Retail. "With the Thanksgiving grocery rush happening earlier, it will be critical that grocers have a clear view into inventory and are continually re-stocking to serve what will be an unpredictable pattern of shoppers."

The survey of 2,085 Americans in New York, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco was run by Untold Insights November 11-16, 2021. Respondents were asked to reflect on their grocery shopping plans for Thanksgiving. Bag the full story at: https://www.oracle.com/industries/retail/grocery/

Turkey Trouble
Consumers are worried about the impact supply chain woes will have on the holiday:

• 20% of consumers are worried turkeys will be hard to find and more expensive
• 10% are concerned they won't be able to find the size of turkey they want
• 20% (or 24% for Dallas) fear they won't be able to find all the ingredients they need for their holiday meals
• 26% are prepared to go to multiple stores to get what they need, with that number jumping to 31% for New Yorkers
• 33% of consumers said outside of Thanksgiving they already have or plan to stock up on grocery essentials due to supply chain and COVID-19 concerns

Home cooking
Most consumers plan to enjoy a home-cooked meal for Thanksgiving:

• 70% of consumers plan to cook at home this year
• 51% are buying groceries in-store and another 19% primarily ordering their groceries online, For 2020, those numbers were 59% and 21%, respectively
• 41% plan to eat at a relative or friend's house
• 9% (or 11% for New Yorkers) will pick up a pre-made Thanksgiving dinner from a restaurant
• 6% are planning to eat at a restaurant.

Learn more about how Oracle is helping fashion, grocery, and specialty retailers anticipate market changes, simplify operations, and inspire authentic brand interactions at www.oracle.com/retail.

About Oracle
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SOURCE Oracle

FAQ

What percentage of consumers are shopping early for Thanksgiving groceries?

23% of consumers have already started shopping early for Thanksgiving groceries.

How is Oracle involved in addressing supply chain issues for Thanksgiving?

Oracle suggests that retailers need to adapt their inventory strategies to accommodate changing consumer behaviors due to supply chain disruptions.

What are consumers worried about regarding Thanksgiving shopping?

Consumers are worried about finding turkeys and other key ingredients due to ongoing supply chain issues.

How many people plan to cook at home for Thanksgiving according to the survey?

70% of survey respondents plan to cook at home for Thanksgiving.

What is the significance of the survey conducted for Thanksgiving shopping?

The survey highlights the impact of supply chain issues on consumer shopping behaviors during the Thanksgiving holiday.