Israelis Spend Over 1 Billion Shekels on Election Day

Between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, spending reached NIS 250.78 million, representing a 26.5% increase compared to the same period during the November 2022 Knesset elections, and a 10.6% rise compared to the 2024 municipal elections. By 2:00 PM, total spending had climbed to NIS 731 million, which was 37.5% higher than the 2022 election day. By 5:00 PM, the total surged to over NIS 1.141 billion, marking a 41.2% increase from the NIS 808.51 million spent during the same hours in 2022, according to Shva. Kan News reported the increase as 41.42%.

The peak of consumer activity occurred in the afternoon. At 12:40 PM, over 15,500 transactions totaling NIS 3.61 million were processed in a single minute. Earlier in the morning, a peak was recorded at 10:57 AM with NIS 2.39 million transacted in one minute. Shva noted that the overall transaction volumes were comparable to peak days typically seen on holiday eves and Fridays.

Specific sectors experienced dramatic shifts in consumer behavior. According to fintech company Hyp, fashion and apparel transactions surged by 198%, and average spending at restaurants and cafes rose by 50% to NIS 75. Conversely, food delivery services saw a 78% drop in transactions as people opted for in-person activities. While the exact reasons for the surge remain unclear, potential factors include price increases, changes in payment habits, and a greater adoption of digital payment methods.