November Shopping Frenzy Offers Up to 80% Off, But Shoppers Should Be Wary
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
November has kicked off with major shopping events in Israel offering discounts of up to 80%, including Black Friday and Singles' Day. Retailers from fashion and electronics to grocery chains are participating, alongside international e-commerce giants like AliExpress. While consumers can find deals, experts advise careful price comparison, as the "up to" discounts often apply to limited items. The shopping season sees increased consumer spending, with local retailers competing against global platforms by highlighting faster delivery and local service.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- November shopping events in Israel offer discounts of up to 80% from local and international retailers.
- Key events include Singles' Day, Black Friday, and Israel's "Shopping IL" day, with extended sale periods.
- Grocery chains are increasingly participating, offering electronics and other non-food items.
- Consumers are advised to compare prices carefully, as "up to" discounts may not apply broadly.
- Israeli retailers compete with global giants by emphasizing faster delivery and local customer service.
- Online shopping is growing, with consumers using digital tools and AI for price comparisons.
November marks the start of a major shopping season in Israel, featuring discounts of up to 80% from local retailers and international e-commerce giants. This period, encompassing events like Black Friday and Singles' Day, sees fashion chains, electronics stores, online marketplaces, and even grocery chains offering significant price reductions. The tradition of Black Friday, originating in the US as the day after Thanksgiving to signal the start of the Christmas shopping season and a shift from financial losses to profits, has become a global phenomenon. In the US, November and December sales typically account for about 19% of annual retail revenue, making it crucial for retailers to clear inventory and improve cash flow.
Israel observes several key shopping events throughout November. These include AliExpress's Singles' Day festival (November 1-18), Israel's "Shopping IL" day initiated by Google (November 4-5), and Singles' Day itself (November 11) with its limited-time offers on Asian platforms. However, the lines between these events have blurred, with many retailers extending discounts throughout the month, some even starting in October.
Early promotions are already underway. AliExpress launched its Singles' Day festival on November 1, offering deals like a Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro for approximately 230 shekels (down from 480) and Anker Soundcore earbuds for about 130 shekels (down from 265). Local electronics retailers are also participating, with KSP offering an iPhone 15 Pro 256GB for around 4,250 shekels, including a free charger. Fashion brands like Reiss and Twentyfour Seven began sales of up to 70% on November 1, while Golf & Co and Intima are offering discounts between 50% and 40% respectively on select collections.
Grocery chains are increasingly joining the shopping season, with Rami Levy launching a "Pink November" campaign. These chains are expanding their offerings beyond food to include electronics like TVs and coffee machines, aiming to increase store traffic and customer loyalty. While this presents consumers with more price comparison opportunities, experts caution that a good deal on one item, like a TV, doesn't guarantee overall savings across the entire basket.
Last year, Israeli credit card spending on Black Friday reached approximately 989 million shekels between 8 AM and 2 PM, a 21% increase from the previous year. Globally, online sales in November and December 2025 reached $257.8 billion, with projections for continued growth. However, the depth of discounts is expected to remain around 30%, similar to the previous year. The competitive landscape includes global players like AliExpress, Tmall, and Amazon, alongside local Israeli retailers who emphasize faster delivery, local customer service, and accessible returns, particularly for larger, more expensive items.
Consumers are increasingly using digital tools and AI to compare products and find deals. There's also a growing trend of purchasing everyday essentials like hygiene and cleaning products during these sales periods. While November offers genuine consumer opportunities due to intense competition, retailers' primary goal is to boost sales and reduce inventory, not necessarily to combat the cost of living. Consumers are advised to measure their success by the money they save, rather than just the amount retailers earn.
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