Israeli Court Approves Class Action Against Supermarket Chain Over Pricing

A district court in central Israel has approved a class-action lawsuit against the supermarket chain "Oshra Ed" (operated by Marav Food All) concerning allegations of failing to properly display prices on products. The court ruled that there is a reasonable chance the chain violated its legal obligation to mark prices directly on items sold.

The lawsuit, filed in February 2023, claims that Oshra Ed systematically fails to display the total price on its products. The plaintiff stated that on December 19, 2022, he purchased items without visible price tags, and that the chain frequently omits prices on numerous products across different branches, making it difficult for customers to identify the specific cost of similar-looking items.

Oshra Ed argued that displaying prices on containers or signs near products is sufficient, especially for items sold within refrigerated units or displays. The company also pointed to its in-store technology, including a mobile app and handheld devices, which customers can use to check prices. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that selling products in containers does not exempt the chain from the requirement to mark prices on the items themselves or their packaging, unless a specific legal exemption applies.

Judge Iris Rabinovitz Baron determined that the chain's reliance on in-store devices and apps does not absolve it of its legal duty to display prices directly. The court defined the represented group as "any person in Israel who purchased or wished to purchase a product at the company's various branches, and whose total price was not displayed on the product or its packaging, within the seven years preceding the filing of the request and until the approval of the lawsuit as a class action."

The case will now proceed to a full trial, where a final decision will be made, or the parties may reach a settlement. The plaintiffs' lawyers welcomed the decision, emphasizing the importance of clear pricing for consumers, especially amid rising living costs. Oshra Ed expressed respect for the court's decision but stressed that this is only the initial approval stage and maintained its belief that it can prove its pricing practices were clear, accessible, and legally compliant.