The 4th of July is a celebration of American freedom and is marked by friends, family, and patriotic spirit. Every year Americans put on their red, white and blue gear, kick back in the sun with a cold one and throw some burgers and hot dogs on the BBQ. While shoppers prepare for the copious amounts of food and alcohol they plan to consume, brands and retailers need to prepare for the influx of consumer spending. Are your retail displays and promotions ready for the crowds? Gigwalk is here to help ensure a flawless holiday retail execution and to share some 2015 4th of July consumer spending insights to help you prepare.

Consumers are celebrating with food.

For about 64% of those celebrating last year, festivities included a cookout, barbeque or picnic. Americans were expected to eat more than 150 million hot dogs– “enough to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times,” according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. With an additional 700 million pounds of chicken and 190 million pounds of beef purchased in the two weeks leading up to the Fourth, retailers need to know that their goods are being properly stocked. All those extra pounds of meat add up, with total food spending for last year’s holiday estimated at $6.7 billion!

Beer sales peak on the 4th of July.

Everyone knows that a good cookout is better with a couple beers, and MarketResearch.com claims that the 4th of July is America’s top-selling beer holiday. With beer sales expected to rise to $84.4 billion by 2019, retailers should look to profit by ensuring their goods are on the shelves for thirsty partygoers.

Red, white and blue goods will also fly off the shelves.

When 62% of those celebrating last year already owned an American flag, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 Monthly Consumer Survey, it is evident that American patriotism is as strong as ever. An estimated 48 million Americans also planned to buy new patriotic merchandise to celebrate in 2015. Retailers need to be prepared for consumers looking to stock up on red, white and blue decorations and apparel, particularly since 42.6% of those celebrating last year planned to attend a community party or see fireworks.

Make sure your stores and products are properly prepared this year with Gigwalk.

Gigwalk can improve your holiday retail execution by up to 45% with real-time, on-the-ground intelligence. Eliminate potential blind spots and capitalize on the increase in spending as consumers purchase patriotic goods in the next couple weeks. Gigwalk will ensure proper retail execution by allowing you to easily check on the products and locations that matter most, exposing potential pricing inaccuracies and non-compliance in order to maximize brand exposure this 4th of July.