More People Firing Up the Grill Year-Round

Grocers across the country know how to roll out a summertime grilling display. But according to Acosta’s findings, stores may want to keep those grills, meat bundles and charcoal bags around a bit longer than usual.

Labor Day is one holiday that could benefit from enhanced promotional activity around grilling. Roughly 24% of Americans reported grilling as a top Labor Day activity last year, according to U.S. Labor Force. Over half of Americans (57%) made some purchase geared toward Labor Day with an average spend of $58 for individuals and $150 for families.

Beef was a particularly popular menu item for the 2018 holiday. In light of USDA projections that average meat consumption would increase 1.4% this year to 57.7 pounds per person, grocers should keep the meat cases stocked and consider promos on steaks, ground beef and other popular grilling cuts.

Some retailers are ahead of the game. Sam’s Club recently expanded its USDA prime beef offerings to all of its retail locations after a 200-store pilot. Albertsons, Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger and Whole Foods also offer prime cuts, which is the highest grade that the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service gives to meat products.

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