Israeli Credit Card Spending Rises, Led by Apparel and Travel

Overall credit card purchases in Israel continued to grow, though recent data reveals a significant divergence in spending patterns. While purchases of clothing and footwear saw a sharp increase, the growth rate for food and beverages slowed considerably. According to figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) for June-August 2026, total credit card purchases rose at an annualized rate of 5.4%, a slight decrease from the 6.5% recorded in the previous quarter. These figures are adjusted for inflation and seasonal fluctuations.

The most notable difference was between the apparel and footwear sector, which grew at an annual rate of 17.1%, and the food and beverage sector, including dining services, which increased by only 1.4%. The food sector itself experienced a slowdown, with its annual growth rate dropping from 4.8% in March-May to 1.4% in June-August. The CBS clarified that this does not indicate Israelis spent less on food, but rather that the rate of spending growth decelerated.

Other sectors showing strong growth included transportation equipment and services, up 14.8% annually, and flights, tourism, and hospitality, which rose 11%. Computer and software purchases increased by 6.9%. Conversely, some sectors saw declines: furniture purchases dropped 2%, electrical and electronic goods fell 0.3%, and fuel, electricity, and gas purchases decreased by 3.5%.

Looking at the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, total credit card purchases increased by 8.5%. Industrial goods, including apparel, footwear, electronics, and furniture, rose 15.1%, while food and beverages grew 7.5%. This indicates that despite the recent slowdown in food spending growth, overall purchases for the year-to-date remain higher than the previous year.

In terms of spending composition in 2025, approximately 45% of credit card purchases were in a category encompassing fuel, electricity, gas, computers, transportation, communication, and medical services. Food and beverages accounted for about 15% of total purchases, with industrial goods and services each making up around 20%. The CBS noted that these statistics are based on reports from all credit card companies operating in Israel and cover domestic purchases only, excluding other payment methods.