Christmas dinner isn’t just a tradition – it’s a logistical triumph. GroceryAid, the charity providing relief for grocery workers during tough times, reveals the scale of the grocery industry at its busiest time of year, ensuring more than 60 million people can enjoy one of Britain’s most cherished festive traditions.
The numbers behind the feast
- 60 million plates of Christmas dinner are served every December – that’s over 90% of the UK population tucking in (… and 6 in 10 of those plates include Brussel sprouts).
- Over 2.6 million grocery workers make Christmas dinner possible – from supermarket staff and delivery drivers to food factory teams, warehouse pickers, butchers and greengrocers.
- 6 million work in supermarkets and convenience stores, keeping shelves stocked and tills running.
- 486,500 are employed by food & drink manufacturers – prepping, mixing, cooking and packaging our festive favourites.
This insight comes from GroceryAid – which provides year-round financial, emotional, and practical support for grocery workers – and highlights just how many people work hard to make Christmas possible year on year.
In recently commissioned consumer research for GroceryAid, 70% of respondents credited supermarket and shop workers with ensuring Christmas is a success each year. But nearly six in 10 adults (58%) admitted they forget how many people work behind the scenes in playing a crucial role, and 32% believe supermarket and shop staff aren’t celebrated enough during the festive season.
Kieran Hemsworth, CEO of GroceryAid, said: “It takes a staggering number of people working behind the scenes so that we can all enjoy one of our nation’s top traditions. It’s easy to forget just how many people make Christmas what it is. While 60 million of us tuck into our Brussel sprouts on Christmas Day, think about those who made it possible.
“We want everyone in the grocery industry – including those who grow / farm our Christmas dinner produce, pack it, retail it and transport it around the country – to know we appreciate them and we’re here for them with a helping hand, not just at Christmas but all year round.”
GroceryAid has been supporting grocery workers for over 168 years and provided support totalling more than £6.5 million last year.
For more information on the free and confidential support available, visit groceryaid.org.uk
