WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST SELLERS ON THE FOURTH OF JULY?
Fourth of July is a time to celebrate American pride, good food, and tradition. As our country grows in diversity, so does our taste for new flavors.
Barbecues on Fourth of July are a traditional must-have and this year is no different. Beef is at the top on Independence Day with sales in the two weeks around the holiday last year exceeding $803 million. Chicken and pork were also included in the top three, with shrimp and salmon being in the top for seafood.
TOP SAUCES USED IN 4TH OF JULY BARBECUES
Sauces give the meat a delicious flavor and an Independence Day meal wouldn’t be the same without it. Leading in sales for sauces is the customary barbecue sauce. However, less customary sauces such as Worcestershire, teriyaki and hot sauce are joining the top polls with an increasing growth.
When it comes to salads and pies, fruits are also leading sales. Berries, cherries and tomatoes are dominant in produce section sales, but fresh guacamole and avocado are also in the top 10.
This time of year always brings an increase in food and beverage sales. Speaking of beverages, most adults can agree that a great Independence Day meal is best served with a cold alcoholic drink. There was a huge rise of canned wine in 2016 and 2017 will be no different when it comes to alcohol trends. With all the emerging beverages and flavors, it would be hard for consumers not to stock up on drinks this holiday weekend.
FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND WILL LIKELY BRING AN INCREASE OF ALCOHOL PURCHASES
In the wine category, Rosé and sparkling Rosé had a very popular growth spurt. Rosé wine was growing at 53% in the 52 weeks ending April 27, 2017 and is worth more than $207 million annually. Sparkling Rosé has $139 million in annual sales and increasing at 19%, which is more than double of the total sparkling wine category.
Aside from wine, there are other popular flavored beers and spirits that are perfect for a Fourth of July Celebration. Flavored spirits have become an extremely popular drinking choice with flavored vodka, flavored whiskey and flavored rum being at the top in sales. Malt beverages and coolers are also increasing in popularity with a rate triple the entire beer category (annual dollar sales increasing 4.9%).
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Independence Day will always be a beloved holiday tradition in the U.S. and with it comes a string of unchangeable facts: fireworks, time spent with loved ones and barbecues. As America evolves and strengthens with multiculturalism, food and beverage tastes are also evolving and broadening. Different flavors from sauces or drinks are stepping away from the typical norm and are being embraced. When it comes to sales, manufacturers and retailers should keep these wide ranging, desired flavors in mind to meet with consumers’ satisfaction.
