Israeli Supermarket Chains Raise Delivery Fees Despite Falling Fuel Prices

Several major Israeli supermarket chains, including Shufersal, Rami Levy, and Victory, have quietly increased their delivery fees by about 20 percent. The delivery charge rose from 29.90 shekels to 35.90 shekels without official announcements, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers who shop online. This price hike comes even as fuel prices have been steadily declining month after month.

The delivery service has become essential for many consumers despite ongoing complaints about delays, stock shortages, and service quality. The supermarkets appear to be leveraging the high demand to raise prices, while also signaling a preference for customers to shop in-store, which is less costly for them. Online orders require more complex logistics, including picking, packing, and transportation, making them more expensive to fulfill.

In addition to delivery fee increases, some chains are also charging for self-pickup services. For example, Yohananof charges 15 shekels for pickup on orders under 250 shekels, waiving the fee only for purchases of 999 shekels or more. This shift reflects the supermarkets' efforts to reduce operational costs and encourage customers to return to physical stores.

Previously, Carrefour attempted a similar delivery fee increase to 35.90 shekels under its "Israel Basket" service but reversed the decision following public backlash. The current trend indicates that consumers who value the convenience of online grocery shopping will face higher costs going forward.