Are Consumers Firing Up Their Grills For July 4th Despite Beef Costs?

With increases in beef prices squeezing consumers wallets, will grilling hamburgers and steaks for the fourth take center stage, or will Americans lean on other protein staples or even potlucks to ease costs?

Fourth of July is here and that means grills are getting fired up across the country, or are they? With increases in beef prices squeezing consumers wallets, will grilling hamburgers and steaks for the fourth take center stage, or will Americans lean on other protein staples or even potlucks to ease costs? We went to our SupermarketGuru consumer panel for answers.

For the consumer panel, a typical July 4th BBQ entails (in descending order): Beef hamburger 44%, Chicken 37%, Ribs 29%, Hot dogs 26%, Beef steak 21%, Veggies 20%, Sausage 17%, Pork 12% and shrimp, lamb, fish, and turkey ranked in less than 4%. Note that 14% say they don’t usually barbeque, but usually go to someone’s house.

So will consumers change from their regular BBQ habits due to the increased price of beef and chicken? A decided sixty-nine percent says no, while twenty-three percent says yes. Eight percent are still unsure.

Of those who have decided to change the menu a bit, here’s how they are going about it:

• 25% Seek lower prices in different stores on the same foods I usually buy
• 20% Switch to less costly types of meat
• 15% Switch to chicken
• 14% Ask guests to chip in or bring meat items
• 10% Switch to veggies
• 9% Switch to lower grades of meat

How might higher food prices affect side dishes?

Fifty-five percent of side dishes will stay the same, while 33% will make these dishes at home to save money and 21% will ask guests to bring sides.

Other ways shoppers will ease the cost burden of their July 4th BBQ will be to co-host with friends (24%), have a potluck (23%), and nine percent will not host a BBQ this year.

Regardless if you are hosting a BBQ or not, SupermarketGuru wishes you a fantastic Fourth of July.