Israelis Spent 30% More on Election Day Shopping Spree

Israelis spent approximately 1.752 billion shekels using debit and credit cards on the recent election day, a significant 30.2% increase compared to the previous election day in 2022. The data comes from Shva, the company managing the national payment system. In 2022, spending on election day totaled about 1.346 billion shekels, meaning this year's spending was roughly 406 million shekels higher.

A substantial portion of the spending, about 1.149 billion shekels, occurred between 8 AM and 5 PM, marking a 42.1% rise in transactions during those hours compared to the previous election day. This surge indicates a notable increase in consumer activity during the voting period.

Analysis of spending by sector reveals significant growth across various industries. Food retailers saw a 24.2% increase, with consumers spending 238.2 million shekels. The clothing and footwear sector experienced a 26.3% rise, reaching 168.4 million shekels. Restaurants, cafes, and fast-food establishments saw a substantial 53.9% jump in spending, totaling 181.4 million shekels.

Other sectors also reported increased consumer spending. Leisure, entertainment, and attractions saw the largest percentage increase at 72.3%. Pharmacy spending rose by 33.5%, electronics by 11.4%, fuel by 14%, and hotels and hospitality by 15.7%. Overall, the spending on this election day was 10.2% higher than during the 2024 local authority elections.