For the week ending September 6, dollars gained 18.2% over year ago levels during one of the biggest grilling weekends of the summer.

The last full week of August saw the smallest increases since the start of the pandemic across virtually all departments.

Following the two massive stock-up weeks in mid-March, trip frequency fell while the basket size rose.

The meat department has ruled the fresh perimeter since the onset of the pandemic.

Economic pressure is being compounded by the delay over the extension of unemployment benefits and uncertainty over a second round of stimulus payments.

30% of primary grocery shoppers are experiencing greater financial pressure than last year and 25% are buying more value-size items to save money.

As COVID-19 concerns increase, meat department dollar sales increased 22.2% versus year ago.

The week ending July 19 was the second of eight non-holiday weeks between Independence Day and Labor Day.

The elevated everyday demand resulted in a 21.4% increase in dollar sales versus year ago.

So far, the 2020 pandemic-affected holidays have seen strong sales performances.