Coffee Price Survey Reveals Up to 67% Difference Between Retailers
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A survey by the Institute for Retail Research revealed price differences of up to 67% for identical coffee products and up to 1,000 shekels for coffee machines across Israeli retailers. The study found that private-label brands are becoming more competitive, and consumers can save hundreds of shekels annually by comparing prices. Despite the growth of capsule and bean machines, traditional coffee remains popular, with consumers advised to compare prices due to significant variations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Coffee prices vary by up to 67% between Israeli retailers for the same product.
- Identical coffee machines can differ in price by as much as 1,000 shekels.
- Private-label coffee capsules are significantly cheaper than branded alternatives.
- Consumers can save hundreds of shekels annually by comparing coffee prices.
- Traditional coffee remains popular alongside new capsule and bean machines.
A new survey by the Institute for Retail Research has uncovered significant price disparities for the same coffee products across different retail chains in Israel, with differences reaching up to 67% for a single jar of coffee and potentially hundreds of shekels annually for capsules and brands. The study also found price variations of up to 1,000 shekels for identical coffee machine models.
Global coffee prices have been on the rise due to supply issues, particularly affecting major producers like Brazil and Vietnam. This global trend, however, highlights the importance of consumer choices within Israel, as price differences between retailers can amount to substantial savings over the year. The survey indicates that private-label brands are increasingly competitive, offering compatible Nespresso capsules at an average of 9.52 shekels per ten, compared to 17.12 shekels for branded alternatives like Starbucks, Jacobs, and Elite.
The research also pinpointed extreme price differences for identical products. For instance, a jar of Red Mug coffee was found to cost 17.90 shekels at Rami Levy and 29.90 shekels at Freshmarket, a 12-shekel difference representing a 67% increase. Similarly, the cost of coffee capsules can accumulate significantly; a consumer drinking two cups daily could spend 920 shekels more per year on Lavazza Intenso capsules compared to a private-label option, based on the lowest prices found.
The market is also seeing a shift towards coffee bean machines, with the raw material cost per cup being lower than capsules. However, consumers must be wary of packaging sizes, as a smaller bag might appear cheaper but cost more per kilogram. In terms of coffee machines, the survey identified price gaps of hundreds of shekels for the same models, with direct purchases from manufacturers not always being the cheapest option. Parallel imports have also introduced significant price competition, with some machines available for 1,000 shekels less through this channel.
Despite the rise of advanced coffee machines and capsules, traditional instant and black coffee remain popular in Israeli households. The new coffee-making technologies are augmenting, rather than replacing, these staples. The survey concludes that with such significant price variations for both coffee products and machines, consumers must actively compare prices to avoid overpaying.
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