Walmart prices 10-person feast at $35

Walmart is betting that its lowest price can offset rising grocery costs for families preparing for the holidays. The retailer announced on Wednesday that its annual dinner kit, designed to feed ten people, is priced at $35. That works out to $3.50 per person for the complete meal.

The company states that this year's bundle represents a value increase over the previous year. In a statement, Walmart noted that the basket contains 18% more items while costing 12% less than the same products did last year. The retailer described this as the lowest priced one-click basket in the program's history.

The kit includes 17 distinct products and 26 total items. The list features staples such as a Butterball frozen whole turkey weighing between 10 and 16 pounds. It also includes Stove Top stuffing, JIFFY corn muffin mix, and Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. Other components are Great Value canned corn, green beans, evaporated milk, and pumpkin.

Fresh produce rounds out the selection with a five-pound bag of russet potatoes, three sweet potatoes, and a 12-ounce bag of cranberries. Dessert items include mini marshmallows, frozen pie crusts, and whipped topping. The kit is available in stores and online through December 24.

Walmart cited internal survey data indicating that shoppers are actively seeking lower prices. The company is also providing free express delivery on the basket through November 30. This move comes as food prices continue to climb nationally.

According to Federal Reserve data, the cost of food purchased at grocery stores for home consumption has surged by more than 30% since 2020. The CBS News Price Tracker shows that food prices across the U.S. had risen 2.5% through September this year. Walmart's pricing strategy appears designed to counter these increases.

The basket relies on a mix of national brands and Walmart's private label. Great Value products make up the bulk of the canned goods and baking supplies. The turkey is the largest single component of the kit, serving between seven and 11 people according to the packaging. The remaining sides and desserts are packaged in standard retail sizes.