Crowd Chaos Forces Early Closure of Xiaomi Store Opening in Rishon LeZion

Approximately 1,500 people gathered at the Gold Mall in Rishon LeZion on August 5 for the grand opening of Xiaomi's new store, organized by the Hamilton Group. The event, which promised unprecedented discounts including items priced at just 10 shekels and up to 55% off on electronics like smartphones and robot vacuums, quickly descended into chaos due to overcrowding and pushing at the entrance.

About half an hour after the sale began, the mall's security department recommended shutting down the event to prevent physical harm to the waiting crowd. Organizers complied, turning off the lights and closing the store, which left many frustrated customers refusing to disperse. Some attendees had arrived hours early, bringing food and coolers to secure their place in line.

Customers like Binyamin Kagan, who waited since noon to buy a vacuum cleaner for his mother, and Meir Duak from Tel Aviv, who took a day off to purchase discounted smartphones and robot vacuums, expressed disappointment at the abrupt closure. Teenagers from Petah Tikva also arrived early to buy discounted gaming monitors.

The Hamilton Group had promoted the event as a major celebration with exceptional deals, stating, "We are excited to open our doors and look forward to celebrating with the community." In response to the closure, the group explained that the decision was made due to safety concerns amid the intense crowd pressure. The incident highlights the challenges of managing large-scale retail events amid high customer demand.