According to a survey conducted in April by Advantage Solutions, grocery shoppers are now planning outdoor entertaining and barbeques. The increased uptake of vaccines and lower incidence rates of COVID have created a desire to return to hosting social events among families and friends. According to 1,000 shoppers interviewed, more than half did not hold a single summer barbeque outside their immediate families during the summer of 2020. Only 17 percent are undecided over entertaining in 2021 with 71 percent planning approximately the same or more frequent events as in 2019. Approximately 55 percent of those interviewed will hold a Fourth of July event.
Respondents plan to purchase their food and supplies for barbeques in stores (61 peent), compared to 10 percent online and the remainder equally between stores and online. Among foods intended to be served at barbeques, hamburgers were most frequently noted at 67 percent followed by either beef, pork or turkey hot dogs, 42 percent; chicken, 31 percent; ribs 24 percent; steak 23 percent; vegetable-based meat substitutes,18 percent and kabobs 12 percent. Serving of traditional side dishes including baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and green salads ranged from 25 to 35 percent. Beer (46 percent), sodas (44 percent) and wine (30 percent) are planned as beverages at gatherings.