Changing consumer dining preferences and attitudes along with shifting demographics are boosting the potential for larger and more diverse holiday sales for meat and poultry merchandisers.

Many times we fail to capitalize on sales opportunities because we are not prepared. A Christmas holiday season sales opportunity that many meat processors find to be very profitable is gift boxes.

Many small and medium size meat processors have their own retail area in which they sell products to the public.

While turkey remains the dominant center of the plate protein for Thanksgiving, consumption of such alternatives as pork, lamb, beef and chicken are on the upswing as more consumers seek variety, novelty and affordability when preparing for seasonal gatherings.