Walmart announced Wednesday the rollout of a $35 holiday meal basket designed to feed ten people, bringing the cost down to approximately $3.50 per person as families grapple with ongoing grocery inflation. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail corporation stated that its 2026 holiday package includes 26 items, representing 18 percent more food items while costing 12 percent less than equivalent products did last year.
The $3.50 per-person price point marks the lowest since Walmart initiated the holiday program in 2022, declining from $4 per person last year. The reduced pricing arrives as major retailers intensify promotional efforts to capture budget-constrained shoppers heading into the Thanksgiving season.
Competitors have similarly rolled out seasonal promotions this month. Target announced a holiday meal package priced at $30 to feed six people, while Aldi introduced a meal bundle intended to feed ten people for under $39.
Official economic data indicates that broader food prices have risen 2.5 percent compared with last year, according to September figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index. The food-at-home index decreased 0.1 percent on a monthly basis and stands 1.8 percent higher than a year ago, whereas the food-away-from-home index increased 0.2 percent for the month and is up 3.5 percent over the year.
Walmart’s bundle comprises a Butterball turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, and dinner rolls, alongside ingredients for sweet potato and corn casseroles. For dessert, the package includes a pumpkin pie with whipped topping. The turkey within the bundle is priced at 97 cents per pound, remaining unchanged from last year’s rate. Shoppers can purchase the holiday meal basket through Dec. 24.
In addition to the main retail offerings, Walmart-owned Sam’s Club is expanding its seasonal inventory. Earlier in the month, the membership warehouse club revealed its largest Thanksgiving meal offering to date, featuring a spread intended to feed 16 people for less than $10 per person.
