Israelis Flock to Shopping, Cafes on Election Day

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עברית · 3 מערכות מסקרות

Israelis spent significantly more on credit cards on election day, with spending up 26.5% compared to the previous election in 2022. Malls and retail sectors reported substantial increases in visitors and sales, with fashion and restaurants seeing notable growth. While food delivery services declined, overall consumer activity suggests a record-breaking day for election-related spending, driven by leisure and shopping.

הידיעה ב-5 שורות · תקציר של baba

Israeli credit card spending rose 26.5% on election day compared to 2022, reaching NIS 250.78 million by 11 AM.
The fashion sector saw a 198% increase in transactions and a 17% rise in average spending.
Malls reported significantly higher visitor numbers, with some experiencing triple the usual traffic.
Food delivery services saw a 78% decrease in transactions on election day.
Spending on this election day is up 10.6% compared to the same morning hours of the municipal elections.

Israelis Flock to Shopping, Cafes on Election Day — איור מערכת שנוצר על ידי baba News, לא צילום של האירוע.

Israelis are taking advantage of the election day holiday to shop, visit cafes, and enjoy leisure activities with their children, spending more than on previous election days. Data from Shva, the national payment system operator, revealed that between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, credit card expenditures reached NIS 250.78 million, a 26.5% increase compared to the same period on election day for the 25th Knesset in November 2022, when spending was NIS 198.31 million.

The peak spending hour this morning was 10:57 AM, with NIS 2.39 million spent across over 11,300 transactions. This current election day's spending is also up 10.6% compared to the municipal elections on January 30, 2024, during the same morning hours, when NIS 226.81 million was spent. If the current pace continues, a new record for election day spending is expected.

Fintech company Hyp reported a 13% rise in transaction volume by 10:00 AM compared to the previous Tuesday, a regular shopping day. The fashion sector saw a significant surge with a 198% increase in transactions and a 17% rise in the average transaction value, from NIS 278.98 to NIS 326.64, with many stores offering 15%-50% discounts. Restaurants also experienced a 10% increase in transactions and a 50% rise in average spending, from NIS 50 to NIS 75.

Conversely, food delivery services saw a 78% drop in transactions, likely because people are not ordering food for work and are out of the house. Big Galilot reported a day "much stronger than Friday, holiday eve, and intermediate holiday days," with over 10,000 visitors by noon, a 134% increase over a typical day. Dizengoff Center reported triple sales and a food market operating at Friday levels or higher. Maor Tzion, Marketing Director of Dizengoff Center, stated that approximately 22,000 visitors had arrived by 1:00 PM, 2.5 times a normal day, with high demand for sustainability tours and chef specials in the food market.

Omer Ugolnik, CEO of Ofer Malls, told ynet that malls are currently seeing three times the usual number of visitors and 30% more than the previous election day. He estimated purchase volume at 2.5 times a normal day, noting significant discounts of around 30% at Israeli chains and 1+1 deals, while international chains had fewer promotions but still saw increased sales. Ugolnik highlighted Ramat Aviv Mall, Big Fashion Galiot, Petah Tikva Mall, Rehovot Mall, Haifa Mall, and Grand Beer Sheva as particularly busy, leading to increased security and cleaning services.

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