Americans set to spend record $9.5B on food during Independence Day

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - American consumers are expected to spend a record $9.5 billion on food during this year’s July 4 Independence Day, which falls on Tuesday.

The figure is at its highest level since 2014, according to National Retail Federation data.

It is also approximately a 23.4% increase from last year's $7.7 billion and 46.1% higher than the $6.5 billion seen during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

American consumers are anticipated to spend $93.34 per person on food items during this year's Independence Day.

That figure stood at $84.12 per person last year and at $76.49 per consumer during the pandemic, while its lowest figure over the last decade was in 2014 with $68.16, the federation figures showed.

Around 87% of Americans said they will be celebrating Independence Day this year. That figure hit its lowest of 76% in 2020.

While 65% of Americans said they plan to hold cookouts, barbecues, or picnics, 42% said they will have fireworks or community celebration to observe the Fourth of July, according to the survey.

Around 14% plan to travel or go on vacation and 13% are set to attend a parade, while 32% of those celebrating plan to purchase additional patriotic items, it showed.

The survey, done on June 1-7, included 8,225 consumers in the US.