New research has exposed a nationwide epidemic of festive forgetfulness, with more than three-quarters of Brits (78%) admitting they leave a crucial Christmas dinner component off their shopping list every single year.
The Most Commonly Forgotten Festive Foods
The study, commissioned by Iceland Foods, pinpointed the exact items that most frequently slip shoppers' minds. Cranberry sauce is the number one culprit, forgotten by a significant one in five Brits (20%). It is closely followed by other festive essentials: stuffing (18%), Yorkshire puddings (13%), pigs in blankets (12%), and carrots (10%).
With over a third (35%) of people leaving their big festive food shop until the eleventh hour, the chance of a last-minute dash to rectify these omissions is slim, potentially leading to disappointing dinner plates on the 25th.
Supermarket Steps In With Giant Reminders
In a direct response to this widespread issue, Iceland has taken decisive action to help rescue Christmas dinners across the country. The supermarket chain has rolled out over-the-top, giant in-store signage in selected stores, designed to jolt customers' memories at the critical moment.
Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods, commented: "There’s nothing worse than sitting down to your Christmas dinner and realising you’ve left the cranberry sauce in aisle three. Whether it’s pigs in blankets, stuffing or the trusty Yorkshire pudding, every bit plays a part. That’s why this year we’re going all out with in-store signage to help cure festive forgetfulness."
The reminders are tailored to each location, based on what local shoppers are most likely to forget. The signage is impossible to miss:
- In Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield: "DON’T FORGET THE STUFFING"
- In Edinburgh: "REMEMBER THE YORKSHIRE PUDS!"
- In Norwich: "BRING HOME THE PIGS IN BLANKETS"
- In London: "DON’T FORGET RUDOLPH’S FAVOURITE SNACK" (for carrots)
- In Manchester and most other cities: "CHECK YOUR BASKET FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE"
A City-by-City Breakdown of Forgetfulness
The research provided a detailed geographical look at the nation's memory lapses. The most forgotten item in key cities includes:
- Birmingham - Cranberry sauce (22%)
- Brighton - Cranberry sauce (26%)
- Bristol - Cranberry sauce (22%)
- Edinburgh - Yorkshire pudding (25%)
- Glasgow - Cranberry sauce (24%)
- London - Carrots (20%)
- Manchester - Cranberry sauce (23%)
- Norwich - Pigs in blankets (20%)
- Southampton - Cranberry sauce (29%)
Alongside the signage campaign, Iceland is reminding customers that its extensive frozen range offers a solution to last-minute stress. From luxury turkey to party food, the entire Christmas feast can be purchased and stored well in advance, with same-day delivery options ensuring essentials are safely in the freezer in time for the big day.
