Israelis Boost Spending on Goods and Travel, Food Purchases Lag
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Israelis increased credit card spending by 5.4% in the summer of 2026, with a significant rise in purchases of manufactured goods like clothing and services such as travel. Spending on food and beverages saw a much smaller increase of 1.4%, lagging behind other categories. Purchases of electronics and furniture also declined, while transportation and computer-related spending grew. The trend indicates a shift in consumer spending towards non-essential goods and services.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli credit card purchases rose 5.4% in summer 2026, driven by manufactured goods and services.
- Clothing and footwear spending surged 17.1%, while travel and tourism purchases increased 11%.
- Food and beverage spending saw a modest 1.4% rise, significantly lower than other categories.
- Purchases of electronics and furniture experienced slight declines.
- Transportation and computer-related spending saw notable increases.
Israelis significantly increased their credit card spending in the summer of 2026, with overall purchases rising by 5.4% compared to the same period the previous year, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. This growth was primarily driven by a substantial surge in spending on manufactured goods, which saw a 10.1% increase. Within this category, clothing and footwear purchases were particularly strong, jumping by 17.1%.
Services also experienced a notable rise of 6.2%, with travel, tourism, and hospitality leading the way with an 11% increase in spending, indicating continued Israeli demand for vacations despite industry challenges. Transportation equipment and services also saw a significant boost, with a 14.8% rise in purchases. Spending on computers and software increased by 6.9%, and medical and pharmaceutical purchases grew by 2.7%.
In contrast, spending on certain items saw a decline. Purchases of electrical and electronic appliances decreased by 0.3%, and furniture purchases dropped by 2%. Spending on fuel, electricity, and gas also fell by 3.5%. Food and beverage purchases, including food services, showed a much more modest increase of only 1.4%, lagging far behind other categories.
Looking at the distribution of spending in 2025, 'other' products and services constituted the largest share at 45.3% of all credit card purchases. Services made up 20.3%, manufactured goods 19.6%, and food and beverages accounted for 14.8%. The data suggests a shift in consumer priorities, with more funds allocated to apparel, transportation, tourism, and services, while food expenditure grew at a considerably slower rate.
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