Israeli Supermarket Prices Show Wide Discrepancies for Popular Goods
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
An analysis of 40 common items in Israeli supermarkets by Bizportal found median price differences of 38% between stores, with some items varying by over 50%. Popular products like "Bamba" snacks showed price differences exceeding 100% between retailers. Many advertised discounts require specific conditions, and actual prices can differ from shelf tags, indicating significant price variability for consumers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli supermarkets show a median 38% price difference on 40 common items.
- Some products, like "Bamba" snacks, have over 100% price difference between stores.
- Price disparities exist even within the same city across different supermarket chains.
- Many advertised discounts require specific conditions, making them difficult to access.
- Actual prices at checkout can differ from shelf tags and official reports.
A comprehensive study by the financial publication Bizportal has revealed significant price variations for 40 common household items across Israeli supermarkets. The analysis, based on official sales data, found that the median price difference between the cheapest and most expensive stores for these products is approximately 38%, with some items showing over a 50% price gap. The examined goods included basic groceries, diapers, and cleaning supplies, with data collected from retailers required by law to publish their sales figures. Only stores with at least three branches stocking each product were included in the study.
A striking example of the price disparity is the popular Israeli snack "Bamba," with an 80-gram package costing 3.90 shekels at "Oshar Ad" discounters but rising to 7.90 shekels at "Super Yuda," a difference of over 100%. Similar price gaps were observed for "ptitim" pasta, Wissotzky tea, and "Osem" ketchup. These substantial price differences can occur even within the same city, such as Tel Aviv or Rehovot.
The research also highlighted the complexities of marketing promotions. While the average advertised discount was 23%, accessing these deals often requires specific conditions like holding a loyalty card, using a particular credit card, buying in bulk, or meeting a minimum purchase amount. Furthermore, the actual price at the checkout may not always align with advertised prices or shelf tags, with daily fluctuations and regional factors contributing to the discrepancies. The study noted that traditionally lower prices in Eilat are due to the absence of VAT, and therefore, median prices across branches were used for objective comparison.
