Israelis Spent 3.5 Billion Shekels During Shopping IL, Up 3.2%
Israelis spent nearly 3.5 billion shekels during the Shopping IL event, a modest 3.2% increase from last year. Online purchases accounted for 1.88 billion shekels, while spending surged notably in restaurants, hotels, and leisure sectors.
Israelis spent nearly 3.5 billion shekels using debit and credit cards during the annual Shopping IL event last week, marking a modest 3.2% increase compared to last year's campaign, according to data released by Automated Bank Services (Sheba), the developer and operator of the national payment system.
During the two-day event held on Wednesday and Thursday, November 4-5, spending rose across all examined sectors, though growth slowed significantly compared to a 15.4% surge last year. More than half of the public's expenditures—approximately 1.88 billion shekels—were made online. However, online spending grew by just 1.4% compared to the previous year, causing its share of total purchases to slip slightly from 54.7% to 53.8%.
Sector Breakdown and Notable Trends
Apparel, electronics, and pharmacies saw steady growth. Israelis spent roughly 245 million shekels on electronics and electrical appliances, a 4.6% increase from last year. Clothing and footwear stores recorded expenditures of about 226 million shekels, up 3.9%. Pharmacies and drugstores posted a 5.9% increase, reaching approximately 114 million shekels, while sporting goods and apparel saw a 6.2% rise to 29 million shekels.
Beyond traditional retail, spending shifted heavily toward leisure, hospitality, and dining out:
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Restaurants, cafes, and fast-food outlets: 263 million shekels, an 18% increase compared to last year, surpassing spending on both electronics and clothing.
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Hotels and guesthouses: 64 million shekels, up 14.1%.
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Travel agencies: 90 million shekels, a 10.7% increase.
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Leisure and entertainment: The sharpest percentage increase at 24.4%, though totaling a relatively small 21 million shekels.
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Aviation: 30 million shekels, reflecting a negligible 0.9% rise.
Sheba noted that the data encompasses all transactions within these sectors during the event days, rather than strictly discounted promotional purchases. Furthermore, the figures are not adjusted for inflation, meaning part of the added expenditure reflects price hikes rather than a larger volume of goods bought.
