Many ads from last week were extended through Thanksgiving to accommodate last-minute holiday shoppers, resulting in significantly fewer stores posting new specials this week. For those retailers that issued new advertisements, Black Friday specials were in the spotlight. Stores featured everything needed for the holiday rush, from ingredients for quick meals to Hanukkah and Christmas gift ideas, poinsettias, and holiday greenery. Baking and tamale-making supplies were also promoted by many stores.
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Total ad numbers this week were 252,276, a 24% decrease from last week's total of 331,456. The total for the same week last year was 16% lower at 217,746. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups was as follows: fruit 124,951 (50%), onions and potatoes 26,073 (10%), vegetables 91,411 (36%), herbs 1,348, ornamentals 5,159, hemp 2,505, and honey 2,177. The number of ads for organic produce was 22,757, representing 9% of total ads.
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The following are the prices of major advertised items (3,000 plus ads) this week compared to the same week last year. Significant increases in fruit prices this week included round mangos at 18%, blackberries (5.6–6 oz packages) at 15% and Granny Smith apples (per lb) at 12%. Significant decreases included seedless grapes by the pound (red at 23% and white at 17%) and avocados at 10%.
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Significant changes in potatoes and onions included only a 27% decrease for Russet potatoes (5 lb bag). There were no significant increases or decreases in vegetable prices this week.
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