Bamba for Double: Massive Price Gaps Revealed Across Israeli Supermarkets
A comparative study of 40 basic products in Israel reveals massive price gaps, with expensive chains charging up to 38% more than discount retailers like Osher Ad and Rami Levy for the exact same items.
A standard 80-gram bag of Osem Bamba costs 3.90 ₪ at Osher Ad compared to 7.90 ₪ at Super Yuda, based on the median price across each chain's branches. The exact same product, the exact same barcode, at nearly double the price.
Price Disparities Across Chains
A comparative analysis of 40 basic products—ranging from dairy and pantry staples to diapers and dish soap—reveals stark contrasts in the Israeli retail market. Osem baked ptitim cost 4.90 ₪ versus 10 ₪, Bisli Grill goes for 6.50 ₪ compared to 12.90 ₪, and Wissotzky Classic tea is priced at 6.90 ₪ at Rami Levy versus 12.90 ₪ at Super Yuda. On a median basis, the most expensive chain charges approximately 38% more than the cheapest one for the same item, with the gap exceeding 50% in 12 out of the 40 monitored products.
Data is drawn from mandatory public filings required by the Food Competition Enhancement Law. In cities like Rehovot, a 750-gram bottle of Osem ketchup costs 10.90 ₪ at Victory and 18.40 ₪ at City Tzafrir. In Tel Aviv, Bisli Grill is sold for 6.50 ₪ at Osher Ad and 12.90 ₪ at Fresh Market, while Bamba ranges from 3.90 ₪ to 7.90 ₪. Osem spaghetti sits at 4.90 ₪ at Osher Ad and Yochananof in nearly every operational city, compared to 7.90 ₪ at Shufersal branches in Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion, and Petah Tikva.
Promotions and Conditional Discounts
Currently, around 1,800 active promotions apply to these 40 core products across various food chains, with over 500 at City Market and roughly 270 at Shufersal. However, most discounts come with strings attached: club memberships, digital coupons, specific credit card usage, multi-unit purchases, or minimum spending thresholds.
The median discount sits at roughly 23% off the regular price. For example, a heavily publicized Bamba promotion at Shufersal lists the item at 2.70 ₪ against a standard price of 5.90 ₪; however, this offer was limited to just two branches and required meeting a minimum purchase amount.
Prices fluctuate daily and vary significantly by branch, meaning the checkout total may occasionally differ from online filings or shelf tags—a discrepancy that has previously sparked legal disputes, such as a class action involving Shufersal over charged premiums. Furthermore, because the lowest absolute prices frequently originate from Eilat—which is exempt from the 18% VAT—market comparisons rely strictly on median chain prices rather than absolute minimums.
