Tips to save on Thanksgiving as Target, Walmart announce meal deals
The keys are to start early and shop smart, one expert says.
With Thanksgiving just one month away, retailers are offering ways to save, while shoppers try to budget and plan ahead.
Walmart on Wednesday unveiled its holiday meal basket, featuring 26 items to feed 10 people for $35, or $3.50 per person.
The retailer said the meal basket -- which includes a Butterball turkey, sides like dinner rolls, stuffing and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie for dessert -- is its "best value" to date.
Target is offering a Thanksgiving meal for six people for $30, or $5 per person.
The meal includes a Butterball turkey and eight sides, including green beans, stuffing and potatoes, according to the company.
Other retailers, including BJ's Wholesale Club and ShopRite, are taking a different approach to holiday savings by offering a free item when a customer spends a certain amount of money.
At ShopRite, shoppers who spend $400 in qualifying purchases between Oct. 25 and Nov. 26 can earn a free "holiday favorite" item, including whole turkeys and ham.
BJ's Wholesale Club is offering a free Butterball turkey to members who spend $150 or more in one transaction between Oct. 31 and Nov. 9.
The retailers' offerings come as turkey prices are on the rise, up 8.4% from one year ago, according to the latest Consumer Price Index.
Phil Lempert, a consumer trend analyst, told ABC News that when shopping for Thanksgiving deals, consumers should look at the unit price for the best deal.
"Supermarkets started ordering bundles a couple of years ago and that could be a good buy, but you want to look carefully," Lempert said. "Compare the unit prices, not the bundle prices."
Other tips from Lempert include shopping smart and starting early, when items are easily accessible.
"Always have a shopping list. That's key," he said. "No. 2, stop wasting food ... if you stick to that recipe and you use those leftovers, you're going to save money."