Rami Levy CEO Blames Overregulation for High Living Costs, Plans Expansion into Electronics and Hospitality

Yafit Levy, CEO of the Rami Levy supermarket chain, attributed Israel's high cost of living largely to excessive regulation, including laws such as the 2014 Food Law, the Bottle Law, and price labeling regulations, which collectively cost the economy around three billion shekels. Speaking at the Accountants Association conference in Eilat on June 13, 2025, Levy highlighted that despite stable average profits over the past five years, retail chains have not seen profit growth due to these regulatory burdens.

Levy emphasized that the cost of living issue extends beyond supermarket prices like cottage cheese, urging attention to broader factors such as soaring housing prices, land sale policies, and rising utility costs. She noted that electricity prices increased by 26%, water by 16%, and municipal taxes by 18% over the last five years, all contributing to the financial strain on consumers.

Additionally, Levy announced that Rami Levy plans to enter the electrical appliances market soon and is considering expansion into the hospitality sector. Chen Schreiber, president of the Accountants Association, supported Levy's views, stating that temporary government discount campaigns or marketing gimmicks will not reduce living costs. He called for comprehensive, professional plans from political parties addressing the entire supply chain from import and production to retail ahead of upcoming elections.