Shufersal to Convert Arad Store to Haredi Format Amid Price Hike Fears
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israeli retail chain Shufersal is changing a supermarket in Arad from its "Deal" format to "Yesh Chesed," targeting the ultra-Orthodox community. This conversion, driven by new mall ownership linked to the Gur Hasidic movement, has sparked fears among secular residents about reduced product variety and higher prices. Shufersal states both store formats will remain open and accessible to all shoppers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shufersal is converting an Arad supermarket to a format catering to the ultra-Orthodox community.
- Secular residents fear reduced product selection and increased prices, especially for meat.
- New mall owners, linked to the Gur Hasidic movement, purchased the property for 40 million shekels.
- Ultra-Orthodox residents now make up about 30% of Arad's population.
- All current store employees will keep their jobs during the transition.
The Israeli retail chain Shufersal is converting one of its two "Deal" format supermarkets in Arad to the "Yesh Chesed" format, which caters to the ultra-Orthodox community. The change will affect the branch located in the old city center shopping mall. All current employees will retain their positions.
Following the format change, the store's inventory will include products with stricter kosher certifications. This has raised concerns among secular residents who fear a reduction in their usual product selection and potential price increases, particularly for meat products.
Shufersal has assured the public that two supermarkets of different formats will continue to operate in Arad, remaining accessible to all customers. The decision to alter the store's format was prompted by a change in ownership of the shopping center.
In early 2026, businessmen Menachem Cain and Simcha Greenboim, associated with the Gur Hasidic movement, purchased the mall for 40 million shekels. The demographic shifts in Arad, where ultra-Orthodox residents now constitute approximately 30% of the population and Gur followers around 20%, are increasingly influencing the city's commerce and infrastructure.
