Grocery stores are expected to see increased sales of many summer essentials, like sunscreen and bug repellent, over the holiday. (iStock)
As Americans prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, grocery stores across the country are expected to see sales for many popular summer items increase more than 200 percent.
A study conducted by Catalina, a shopper intelligence and personalized digital media company, looked at the purchasing behavior of millions of shoppers at thousands of grocery stores in the United States last year to determine how the holiday impacts what they buy.
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Most of their findings were consistent with the general consensus among Americans to spend time celebrating outdoors.
Compared to an average week, sales of sunscreen increased by 207 percent and insect repellant by 254 percent. Additionally, outdoor toys increased by 216 percent and camping accessories by 184 percent.
The sale of seasonal food items increased significantly as well, making it clear many people plan to enjoy their holiday cooking up meals on the grill.
Frozen burger sales increased by 163 percent, lighter fuel by 149 percent and charcoal by 141 percent.
What is most surprising about the study, though, are the regional differences in food purchases.
For example, cake and pie mix rose 291 percent above the average week in the Northeast, but just 13 percent in the South, 14 percent in the Midwest and 31 percent in the West.
Also surprising was the rise in shrimp sales to 205 percent in the Northeast, compared to just 17 percent in the South, 3 percent in the Midwest, and 31 percent in the West.
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While these regional differences may surprise some, the answers behind them may be quite simple. For instance, families in the South and Midwest often prefer to make their cakes and pies from scratch, while those in the Northeast tend to use a boxed mix, according to this study.