Israel Sets New Record for Credit Card Spending in September 2026
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
Credit card spending in Israel hit a record 53.252 billion shekels in September 2026, a 6.2% annual increase, with daily spending averaging 1.775 billion shekels. The rise was driven by holiday spending, particularly on leisure and dining, and continued growth in online purchases. While overall spending is up, the report notes that inflation also contributes to the higher figures, and physical retail spending saw a slight daily decrease compared to August.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli credit card spending reached a record 53.252 billion shekels in September 2026.
- Average daily spending in September 2026 was 1.775 billion shekels, a new record.
- Holiday spending and increased online purchases contributed to the record figures.
- Leisure, entertainment, and dining saw significant spending increases.
- Online retail spending also set a new record in September 2026.
- Inflation and price changes, not just increased consumption, affect spending totals.
In September 2026, credit card spending in Israel reached a record 53.252 billion shekels, a 6.2% increase compared to the same month last year. Israelis spent an average of 1.775 billion shekels daily, surpassing the previous record set in August by 1.7%. This surge is attributed partly to the Jewish holidays, as all High Holy Days fell in September, boosting spending on travel, entertainment, and dining out.
According to SHAVAL, the company managing the national card payment system, September marked the fourth consecutive month where average daily card spending exceeded 1.7 billion shekels. Leisure and entertainment saw a significant rise of 17.78%, reaching 319.2 million shekels, while hotel and accommodation payments increased by 17.59% to over 1.17 billion shekels. Spending in restaurants, cafes, and fast-food establishments grew by 11% year-over-year to 3.639 billion shekels.
Groceries also saw a notable increase, with spending in smaller food shops, bakeries, and kiosks rising by 9.84% to nearly 1.99 billion shekels. Larger supermarket chains experienced a more modest growth of 2.72%, totaling 6.643 billion shekels. The report cautions that increased spending amounts do not necessarily reflect higher consumption, as price inflation and other cost changes also influence the figures.
Online retail also set a new record, with credit card purchases totaling 30.961 billion shekels in September, a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The average daily online turnover reached 1.032 billion shekels, 4.4% higher than in August, underscoring online payments' role in overall spending growth. Conversely, average daily payments at physical retail locations decreased by 2% from August to 743 million shekels, though they were still up 7.2% year-over-year. Cash withdrawals from ATMs declined by 1.8% annually to 5.612 billion shekels.
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