Thanksgiving prep hit its peak Wednesday night at the Lincoln Heights Rosauers in Spokane, Washington. Customers flooded the aisles for last-minute shopping, turning the store into a hive of activity. With only a day left until the holiday feast, the pressure was on—for both shoppers and store employees.
A High-Stakes Grocery Run
Thanksgiving is synonymous with gratitude, gatherings, and, of course, food. But for shoppers racing to grab turkey, stuffing, and pies, the holiday prep can feel like a high-stakes mission.
Assistant Store Manager Brandon Powell described the week leading up to Thanksgiving as the busiest time of year, with sales skyrocketing to 150% of a normal week.
“This is the busiest week of the year for food sales,” Powell shared. “We actually do more business for Thanksgiving than Christmas.”
The Lincoln Heights Rosauers was fully stocked with holiday essentials, but Powell warned that last-minute shopping always comes with risks. “We’re not always guaranteed those items, so we could potentially be shorted on some products,” he explained. “If we get shorted on pumpkin pie, we don’t have it today, people are going to miss out.”
Shoppers Share Their Strategies
Despite the rush, customers seemed to take the holiday madness in stride. Katelyn Haplin compared her preparation for Thanksgiving shopping to a sports team psyching up before a big game. “It’s just like all the best parts of Christmas without having to buy stuff,” she said, highlighting the joy of family gatherings over material gifts.
Shoppers darted through the store grabbing turkeys, canned cranberries, and other staples, each with their own strategy for conquering the Thanksgiving chaos. Some planned meticulously while others winged it, hoping to snag what they needed in time.
How Rosauers Handles the Hustle
For Powell and his team, managing the Thanksgiving rush is an annual challenge. Preparing the store to handle the influx of customers requires careful planning. Powell emphasized that they stock up on the essentials, but he urged customers not to push their luck by waiting too long.
“If there’s one piece of advice, it’s this: get your turkey right away,” he said. “We do our best, but there’s no guarantee we’ll have everything at the last minute.”
What’s Driving the Rush?
The night before Thanksgiving has always been a hotbed of activity for grocers. The reasons are simple but significant:
- Procrastination: Many shoppers put off their grocery runs until the last possible moment.
- Forgotten Items: Even the most thorough planners can forget something, whether it’s gravy or sweet potatoes.
- Freshness Concerns: Some prefer to buy perishables like produce and baked goods as close to the big day as possible.
While the frantic atmosphere might feel overwhelming, it’s also a testament to the importance of Thanksgiving. Food brings people together, and even the stress of shopping is part of what makes the holiday memorable.
