Israeli Malls Expect Massive Surge in Traffic and Sales on Election Day
Shopping malls across Israel anticipate a massive surge in visitors on election day, with foot traffic doubling or tripling compared to routine weekdays. Major retail groups are rolling out family events and promotions to capture high consumer spending.
Election day is projected to bring a massive surge in foot traffic to shopping malls across Israel, with major centers expecting around 35,000 visitors and smaller complexes anticipating roughly 15,000 shoppers, according to industry estimates.
This influx marks a dramatic increase, doubling or even tripling typical weekday traffic. Retailers and mall operators are preparing special promotions and family-oriented activities to capture the holiday spending, with fashion chains like Zara, the Fox-Wizel Group, and the Irani Group expected to reap the highest rewards.
Major mall groups are rolling out extensive entertainment programs. Ofer Malls will host free family events across its 18 locations, including balloon artists and stilt walkers at the Grand Canyon in Haifa, while Bilu Center features street performances. Azrieli Malls are organizing special attractions such as a Pokémon festival and a designer fair at the Herzliya outlet, noting that their branches in Tel Aviv and Herzliya experience the heaviest foot traffic during election days.
Yaniv Feinshneider, CEO of Seven Stars Mall, noted that unlike pre-holiday shopping sprees focused on efficient purchases, election day brings families looking to spend hours together. Malls must compete with alternative leisure options, making the creation of an engaging visitor experience the primary challenge.
Historical credit card data underscores the economic impact, showing a 101% surge in morning spending between the 2019 and 2022 elections. Data from Retail Information Systems (RIS) confirms that regional mall revenues during the 2022 elections tripled compared to an average day, with total credit card expenditures exceeding 1.3 billion NIS. Peak hours are anticipated between 12:00 and 15:00, with another wave expected in the evening. Meanwhile, senior retail sector sources note that while supermarket chains typically generate nearly 2.5 times their standard revenue on election day, overall weekly figures balance out due to slower shopping in the days immediately surrounding the vote.
