Meat department closes out 2020 nearly 20% above 2019 levels

In 2020, overall meat dollar sales increased 18.4% and volume sales grew 10.3% versus the same period last year. This translates into an additional $12.7 billion in meat department sales during the pandemic, which includes an astounding additional $5.7 billion for beef, $1.6 billion for chicken and $1.1 billion for pork than during the same period in 2019.

The meat department dollar sales gain of 12.9% is very similar to the sales increases measured since August. As such, patterns seen in the second half of the year are more indicative of the first quarter demand in 2021 than the total 2020 growth (IRI).
The meat department dollar sales gain of 12.9% is very similar to the sales increases measured since August. As such, patterns seen in the second half of the year are more indicative of the first quarter demand in 2021 than the total 2020 growth (IRI).

In 2020, overall meat dollar sales increased 18.4% and volume sales grew 10.3% versus the same period last year. This translates into an additional $12.7 billion in meat department sales during the pandemic, which includes an astounding additional $5.7 billion for beef, $1.6 billion for chicken and $1.1 billion for pork than during the same period in 2019.

How COVID-19 affected holiday spending

November and December meat sales were dominated by the holidays along with consumers’ shopping changes in response to the rapidly rising number of new COVID-19 cases across many states.

Some states and cities enacted renewed shelter-in-place mandates. This resulted in consumers’ trip frequency falling below last year’s levels, much like it had in early April. Likewise, e-commerce transactions made a return to spring levels.

Holiday celebrations were vastly different for Thanksgiving and the December holidays alike. There was less travel, smaller gatherings and many consumers shopped much earlier or online to avoid holiday crowds. But, unlike the spring when similar conditions drove grocery sales double digits above year ago levels, December grocery spending was the most subdued it has been since the onset of the pandemic. December sales for all food-and-beverage-related items (total edibles) increased 8.1% versus 2019 levels, which was down from +9.7% in November and +8.5% in October.

The December sales growth was strong in all the weeks leading up to Christmas. December meat department sales increased 12.9%, excluding online-only and delivery e-commerce sales that would have been significantly higher than in 2019. In some cases, retailers encouraged online shopping to manage traffic flow during one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year. Some provided free delivery, ramped up their curbside order slots and encouraged earlier shopping. Yet, multi-outlet sales the week ending December 27 had the highest gains, at 19.2% above year ago levels, reflecting an additional $275 million in addition meat department dollars.

The meat department dollar sales gain of 12.9% is very similar to the sales increases measured since August. As such, patterns seen in the second half of the year are more indicative of the first quarter demand in 2021 than the total 2020 growth. The 7.2% increase in meat department volume over year ago levels is higher than we’ve seen since August. Dollars and volume trended 5.7 points apart — significantly closer than earlier in the year.   

Dollar versus volume gains

Fresh meat had higher gains in both dollars and volume during the month of December on a larger base. The gap between dollar gains and volume gains decreased from 8.1 points in November to 5.7 points in December for the meat department as a whole.

Price per volume

The month-to-month IRI insights on the price per pound volume, show that November was an anomaly in terms of the total meat department price that was pulled down by turkey. In November, prices are much more in line with the trend line that had started to develop in the second half of the year with prices moderating a bit each month in favor of the consumer. The average price per volume for turkey rebounded somewhat in December, to $1.99 per pound. This is still far below the typical levels but 75 cents more than it was in November.

During September 2020, 35.5% of all meat volume was sold on some type of promotion, whether a circular feature, display, temporary price reduction or any combination thereof. This percentage increased to 36.2% in November but came down a bit in December. December 2020 merchandising levels were about 4 points lower than the year prior.

Processed meat is selling more on promotion than fresh meat. In December 2020, 39.4% of all processed meat volume was sold on promotion versus 32.9% for fresh. For smoked ham, nearly 65% of all volume in December 2020 was sold on merchandising. Fresh turkey was very aggressive in promotions in November, but only somewhat elevated from October levels come December.

What’s next?

In the latter half of the year, meat department gains have consistently been between 12-15% above year ago levels. The first quarter outlook for 2021 is likely going to continue to be dominated by news and concern over the virus and the vaccine and is likely going to generate similar sales results.

View our continuing coverage of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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