They can't fly — a WKRP news correspondent once saw witness to that spectacle in a classic episode of an iconic television show — but turkeys have been flying off the shelves at local grocery stores.
This year, however, Thanksgiving buying trends have seen some differences from past campaigns.
"We've had turkeys of all sizes, but this year's we've noticed the smaller ones are selling more," says Willie Abougouche at Lac La Biche's IGA. "Normally, we see the seven to nine kilogram birds getting bought up, but this year it was the smaller five to sevens."
A challenging economy and higher prices for most food supplies are the likely causes for the switch to smaller sizes. Abougouche said his store's food purchasers are in the same boat as local customers who come through his door.
"We're seeing the price increases like everyone else. It's costing us more to stock the shelves," he said.
A recent news article estimated that turkey prices in grocery stores were up eight per cent over last year. Abougouche says that number seems a bit low.
"I'm not sure where they came up with eight per cent, but I see the price of the turkeys getting up there," he said
Despite the prices increases, the local IGA has seen "a good run" of turkey sales leading into the Thanksgiving weekend.
Beef over bird options
Across town at Britton's Your Independent Grocer, Bill Britton also says the economy has created some changes in buying patterns this Thanksgiving over other years.
He said the supply and demand issues as well as economic hardships and large-scale staffing shortages have affected not only pricing but also availability of the seasonal birds.
"We've heard stories of producers losing entire flocks, driving prices up and supply down," he said, adding that turkey sales in his store have been steady, but like IGA, Britton is affected by global markets just like his local customers. "We are currently out of fresh birds, only receiving approximately half of our order."
With challenges getting larger birds and price increases, Britton said many customers — and his own food purchasing orders — have pivoted.
He brought in more beef products this year at better price points, helping families who may be struggling to still get a large family meal on the table.
"We have prime rib on sale for $8.99 a pound to help support the challenges out there, and have seen many people choose to go with that," he told the POST newsroom on the Thursday before the Thanksgiving weekend. "Hams are moving fast too."
The pivot is a trend Abougouche and Britton are seeing more and more in everyday customers.
"Business has been strong, but definitely there's a shift towards no name or PC products and larger format bulk items," said Britton.
Both grocers also say their customer promotions and reward card programs are attracting more registrations in recent months. When asked about their Thanksgiving thoughts, Abougouche and Britton both said that they are thankful for their families, their loyal customers, store staff and their home community.
