Record Spending of ₪1.75 Billion on Election Day Fueled by Consumer Activity
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israeli consumers spent a record 1.752 billion shekels on election day for the 26th Knesset, a 30.2% increase from the previous election. Spending peaked during midday hours, significantly exceeding previous election days. Israelis utilized the day off for leisure, entertainment, and shopping, with the entertainment sector seeing the largest surge.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli consumers spent a record ₪1.75 billion on election day for the 26th Knesset.
- Spending on election day was 30.2% higher than the previous Knesset elections in 2022.
- The entertainment and leisure sector saw the largest spending increase at 72.32%.
- Restaurants and cafes experienced a 53.89% rise in consumer spending.
- Supermarket chains recorded the highest overall spending among retail sectors.
Israeli consumers spent a record 1.752 billion shekels on election day for the 26th Knesset, according to data from Shva, the national payment systems operator. This represents a significant 30.2% increase compared to the previous Knesset elections on November 1, 2022, when spending reached 1.346 billion shekels. The spending on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, also surpassed the 1.591 billion shekels spent on municipal elections in January 2024 by 10.2%.
During peak hours between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on election day, spending totaled 1.149 billion shekels. This is considerably higher than the 808.51 million shekels recorded during the same hours in the previous Knesset elections and the 1.011 billion shekels during the municipal elections.
Analysis of spending by sector reveals that Israelis utilized their day off primarily for leisure, shopping, and entertainment. The entertainment, leisure, and attractions sector saw the most dramatic surge, increasing by 72.32% to 19.141 million shekels. Restaurants, cafes, and fast food establishments experienced a notable 53.89% rise in spending, reaching 181.365 million shekels.
Other sectors also saw significant growth. Delicatessens, convenience stores, and kiosks reported a 48.98% increase in spending, while the pharmacy sector grew by 33.49%. The apparel and footwear industry saw a 26.27% rise, and major supermarket chains, which accounted for the highest overall spending, increased by 24.15% to 238.196 million shekels.
Additional sectors showing growth included hospitality and accommodation (up 15.72%), fuel (up 14.02%), and electrical and electronics goods (up 11.39%).
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