Israeli Credit Card Spending Shifts From Groceries to Travel and Big-Ticket Items

Credit card expenditures in Israel rose by 5.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday. This increase indicates continued growth in private consumption, albeit at a slightly slower pace than earlier in the year.

The most significant rise was seen in large purchases, including clothing, footwear, electronics, appliances, and furniture, which surged by 9.6%. Spending on services such as flights, hotels, tourism, and government services also increased by 4.7%. In contrast, grocery and beverage expenses, a category felt in almost every supermarket visit, grew modestly by only 1.2%, showing that Israelis are not significantly increasing their supermarket shopping but are spending more on other categories.

Technology-related purchases saw a notable increase, with computer and software spending up 10.8%, and transportation equipment and services rising by 10.2%. Conversely, expenses on fuel, electricity, and gas declined slightly by 0.4%. Leisure spending dropped by 6.5%, while spending on flights, tourism, and hospitality rose by 4.5%, suggesting a preference for vacations and travel over local entertainment.

The largest expenditure category remains "other products and services," which includes computers, communications, medications, and fuel, accounting for about 45% of all credit card purchases. This is followed by services at approximately 20%, industrial products like fashion and electronics at about 20%, and food and beverages at roughly 15%. Overall, the data reflects a shift in Israeli consumer behavior, with increased spending on bigger purchases, technology, fashion, electronics, and travel rather than on everyday grocery shopping.