In Stop & Shop Survey, Consumers Talk Turkey – and Meryl Streep

According to a recent national survey commissioned by grocer Stop & Shop, Thanksgiving is truly a family affair, with nearly half (49 percent) of Americans saying that spending time with family and friends was what they loved most about the holiday. Almost a quarter (24 percent), however, said eating was their favorite part of Turkey Day.

When it comes to turkey choice, a quarter (25 percent) of respondents opted for fresh, antibiotic-free/organic turkeys, 22 percent went for fresh and 43 percent bought frozen. As for accompaniments to the turkey, nearly half (48 percent) of Americans said they thought stuffing went best with the bird, although mashed potatoes were a close second, with 31 percent declaring the starchy side their favorite. Squash was the least favorite option, at just 2 percent.

When asked how much they planned to spend on their Thanksgiving meal, 65 percent of those surveyed said that they would spend up to $100, 26 percent would spend up to $150 and 9 percent up to $250.

The celebrities that respondents most wished to share Thanksgiving dinner with were actress Meryl Streep (27 percent), pop singer Taylor Swift (21 percent) and actor Matt Damon (17 percent).

Results for New England, where many of Stop & Shop’s stores are located, included the following:

• 36 percent of people living in the region preferred their Thanksgiving turkey frozen, a significantly lower percentage than the national result, while 25 percent wanted an organic/antibiotic-free fresh turkey and 27 percent liked a traditional fresh turkey.
• More than half (52 percent) chose stuffing as their top turkey side, while just 24 percent preferred mashed potatoes, making that side dish the least popular nationally in the region.
• 61 percent of New Englanders said they would spend up to $100 on their Thanksgiving meal, while 18 percent would spend up to $150, and 12 percent would spend more than $200.
• Among celebrities whom respondents wished to have over for Thanksgiving, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was chosen by 14 percent of New Englanders, while just 10 percent picked him nationwide.

Washington, D.C.-based KRC Research conducted the research Oct. 17-18, 2016 via an online survey of 1,110 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

An Ahold company, Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop employs more than 61,000 associates and operates 415 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.