Israeli Supermarkets Experience Unusually Quiet Eve of Rosh Hashanah Holiday

Shoppers seeking last-minute items on the eve of Rosh Hashanah were surprised by unusually sparse crowds in Israeli supermarkets, a stark contrast to the typical holiday rush. Store managers reported seeing far fewer customers than on a regular Friday, with one manager stating, "I've never seen anything like it." Speculation among staff suggested that shoppers may have completed their purchases earlier in the week or were traveling abroad, citing reports of heavy traffic at Ben Gurion Airport.

Despite the quiet stores, credit card spending data from Shva (Automated Banking Services) showed a slight increase of 2.7% compared to the previous year, with NIS 459.06 million spent between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. The peak minute saw over NIS 3.44 million spent in 18,000 transactions. However, this modest financial increase is attributed primarily to price hikes on essential holiday goods rather than a surge in consumer activity.

The subdued shopping atmosphere reflects a broader trend observed in recent weeks, influenced by a generally low national mood, the holiday falling on a weekend, and the economic strain of the summer vacation period. Retailers also reduced deep discounts to protect profit margins.

An analysis by the Retail Research Institute revealed significant price increases for key holiday items. Avocado prices jumped 44.3%, dry onions by 39.3%, fresh chicken livers by 21.3%, and packaged carrots by 19.6%. Overall, fruit and vegetable prices rose by an average of 7.3%, and wine by 6.3%. The study also highlighted substantial price discrepancies, around 40%, between different chains for items like fresh whole chicken and chicken schnitzel, indicating that consumers who did shop faced higher prices on core products, contributing to the overall increase in spending despite the low foot traffic.