Wolt Charges Significantly Higher Prices on Basic Food Items Compared to Major Israeli Supermarkets

A recent investigation by C14 reveals that the food delivery app Wolt inflates prices on basic grocery items by tens of percent compared to major supermarket chains in Israel. The report highlights that even before adding delivery fees, service charges, and tips, the prices of everyday products on Wolt are considerably higher than those in large supermarket chains like Shufersal.

Five commonly purchased items were compared: a grilled eggplant salad costs 21.90 ILS on Wolt versus 18.50 ILS at Shufersal online; a 100-pack of Diet Sukra sweetener is 34.90 ILS on Wolt compared to 28.90 ILS at Shufersal; premium roast beef drink is 25.90 ILS on Wolt versus 29.90 ILS at Shufersal (noting this is an exception); Italian smoked salami is 33.50 ILS on Wolt compared to 29.90 ILS at Shufersal; and Carlos brand sausages (500 grams) cost 40.90 ILS on Wolt versus 35.90 ILS at Shufersal.

The findings suggest that using Wolt for grocery shopping is not just a convenience but involves systematic overcharging on essential products. When factoring in additional costs like delivery and tips, the total expense becomes significantly higher, posing a challenge for Israeli consumers already facing high living costs.

Wolt responded by stating that prices on their platform are set solely by the businesses themselves, offering a wide selection of supermarkets and products at various price points. They emphasized that all prices are transparent to consumers, allowing for informed comparisons and choices.

This ongoing price comparison series by C14 aims to help consumers better navigate the cost of living by revealing daily price disparities between delivery apps and traditional supermarkets.