Yango Deli Appoints New CEO to Expand Rapid Grocery Delivery

Yango Deli has appointed Naama Elshai as its new CEO, tasked with expanding the company's operations in the rapid grocery delivery market. Elshai, previously the Deputy CEO of Shufersal Amiga, the institutional arm of Shufersal, takes the helm over a year after Yango Deli's Israeli operations were sold.

The appointment comes at a significant time for Israel's online grocery sector. Yango Deli currently operates in 50 locations across Israel. The company was acquired in June 2025 by MNW Group, owned by businessman Alchin Marzaev, for approximately $40 million, granting MNW full operational control and brand usage rights.

Meanwhile, competitor Wolt is being compelled by the Antitrust Authority to sell its 'Market' grocery delivery arm. This ruling stems from the authority's decision to prevent Wolt from simultaneously operating a delivery platform for other grocery chains and competing with them through its own supermarket network. The sale process has attracted significant interest, with four groups reportedly remaining in the final stages, including Paz Group, the founders of Good Pharm, Uzi Max with Apex Fund, and a group led by Tor Rosenberg and Gabi Trabelssi.

Elshai stated that Yango Deli aims to differentiate itself from traditional supermarkets and broader delivery platforms by focusing on rapid grocery delivery as a standalone service. "We see that customers are choosing Yango Deli proactively, not making a grocery order 'on the go' as part of using another service," she said. She also highlighted the company's technological infrastructure as a key advantage in managing inventory, shelf space, and personnel efficiently to combat high operational costs.

Despite the strategic focus, the rapid grocery delivery sector faces profitability challenges. Wolt Market, a market leader, reportedly incurs annual losses exceeding 60 million shekels due to high costs associated with labor, picking, inventory, logistics, and last-mile delivery. Major supermarket chains have also struggled to achieve profitability from their online operations, with some experiencing losses.