While holiday traditions are often a matter of personal taste, a recent survey from Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Stores is shedding light on some of the season’s most debated topics.
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The survey was conducted in early December and aimed to capture the preferences of shoppers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia as they navigate the festive season.
“We thought this would be a fun twist on those family friendly debates that come up during this time of year,” said John MacDonald, chief marketing officer for The Giant Company.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), gift cards remain the most requested item on holiday wish lists.
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Local shoppers echoed this movement, with 96% of Giant and Martin’s customers stating they would love to receive one. The survey also found that 92% of participants plan to give gift cards as presents this year.
The NRF reports that consumers expect to spend an average of $890 per person on gifts, food, and decorations this year, with grocery stores serving as a destination for 46% of holiday shoppers.
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The classic fruitcake appears to be losing its luster among modern consumers.
The survey revealed that 68% of respondents dislike the holiday staple.
When looking for alternatives for co-workers or gatherings, participants showed a clear preference for other seasonal treats:
- Sugar cookies (66%) outperformed gingerbread (34%).
- Pumpkin pie (64%) was favored over pecan pie (36%).
- Hot cocoa (78%) beat out apple cider (22%).
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Despite the distaste by the majority of people polled, Giant and Martin’s confirmed they will continue to stock fruitcake for those maintaining the tradition.
The survey also addressed the longstanding debate over eggnog.
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While often considered a polarizing drink, the results leaned toward the positive, with 59% of respondents saying they love the beverage compared to 41% who do not.
The Giant and Martin’s survey was conducted online from Dec. 8 to 11.
