Super Bowl: Food Sellers Look to Run Up the Score

Catching up to Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, Super Bowl Sunday has become yet another day when Americans take a break from the call for healthy eating.

According to a survey by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association (RAMA), 71.3 percent of respondents plan to buy food and beverages for game day, dwarfing the spending planned on team apparel or accessories (8.6 percent), decorations (6.4 percent), and furniture or a new entertainment center (2.4 percent).

Overall, the average game-watcher expects to shell out $63.87 on related merchandise, apparel and snacks for the Giants/Patriots match-up, up from $59.33 last year. Total Super Bowl spending is expected to reach $11.0 billion.

The Super Bowl party is the main event.

• Of those planning to watch the game, nearly 63.6 million (27.1 percent) are planning to attend a party, up from last year's 61.2 million, according to the RAMA survey. Another 35.9 million (15.3 percent) plan to throw a party, also up from the 34.9 million who said they would host a party in 2011.
• Supervalu's third-annual Snack Down survey found that the majority of respondents readily acknowledge that few, if any, snacks they eat during games would be considered healthy or good for them. Favorite snacks were dips and spreads (32 percent), followed by chicken wings (23 percent), and pizza and salty snacks (tied at 14 percent).
• According to a survey from the National Restaurant Association, 48 million people will order takeout or delivery on game day with another 12 million heading to a restaurant or bar to watch the game. In its survey, 69 percent of respondents described salsa, dips or spreads as "must-haves"; 63 percent indicated chicken wings; 61 percent, pizza; 50 percent, desserts; and 49 percent, subs/sandwiches.
• Forty-two percent said healthful food items are a "must" on their game-day table.
• The National Chicken Council stated that 1.25 billion chicken wings -- or about 100 million pounds of meat -- will be eaten on game day.

As supermarket circulars on Sunday touted "Game Day Savings," other articles are coming out detailing how to best prepare and save money for the game day party.

On street.com, Kristin Colella urged making finger foods at home and encouraging guests to bring beverages. On lifegoesstrong.com, Leah Ingram advised preparing everything in advance, using a slow cooker, buying disposable plates and bowls, and setting the menu around supermarket sales.

Writing for phillyblurbs.com, Eddie Gribbin added limiting invites, preparing hot-foods before kickoff, and setting up an extra television. Wrote Mr. Gribbin, "For any party, it's all about preparation."

(Source: Retail Wire, 01/30/12)