Kroger has revealed that U.S. consumers opt for special ingredients, snacks, and treats as they prepare for the holidays.
"This time of year, our customers look for that special ingredient to recreate a nostalgic dish, prepare a traditional meal to enjoy with loved ones, or perfect a delicious spread to entertain their dearest friends," said Stuart Aitken, SVP and chief merchant and marketing officer, in a statement. "No matter what it is they're shopping for, Kroger makes it easy and affordable by providing high-quality, fresh products that are accessible to shoppers in-store and online."
Specialty and gourmet cheeses are one of the biggest entertainment staples for customers. Over 1.6 million pounds of cheese this season will be purchased at Kroger during this season, including gruyere, the most sought-after cheese for two consecutive years. Shoppers are also selecting custom and premade deli trays to complete their holiday spread, with more than 900,000 expected to be purchased this month.
Customers shopping for the main course of their holiday meals are selecting ham and rib roast as family favorites accompanied by a variety of seasonal sides featuring fresh veggies such as russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts. The retailer also indicated that shoppers are expected to purchase around 2 million pounds of King's Hawaiian rolls this month.
On the sweets side, searches for butter, heavy cream, sugar, and cookies are among the top searches on Kroger.com and the Kroger App. Cheesecake remains a go-to dessert, with customers projected to take home 800,000 pounds of Private Selection Cheesecake.
Christmas candy, Christmas tree, prime rib, Gournay Cheese flavors, and Boar's Head Honey Chèvre Goat Cheese also rank high on customers' online searches.
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