Twice as much as on regular days: what to expect in malls on election day?

Ahead of election day, malls across the country expect a significant increase in customer traffic – twice as much or more than on regular days. According to estimates, large malls are expected to receive about 35,000 visitors and smaller ones about 15,000. Fashion chains are expected to be the biggest winners, and malls will host free family activities.

Election day for the Knesset is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and malls across the country are preparing for a significant increase in customer traffic. According to industry estimates, large malls are expected to receive about 35,000 visitors, and smaller malls about 15,000 visitors – traffic twice as high or more than on regular days. Stores will offer sales and benefits, and the biggest winners are expected to be major fashion chains like Zara, Fox Group, and Irni Group. Malls are planning free family activities, including a carnival at Grand Canyon Haifa, street performances at Bilo Center, and activities like a Pokémon festival at Azrieli malls. The CEO of Shivat HaKochavim malls, Yaniv Feinschneider, explains that families are looking for family entertainment and the mall competes with other options. Credit data from previous years shows a 101% jump in morning spending between the 2019 and 2022 elections, and in the 2022 elections, revenues at regional malls were more than three times higher than an average day. Total credit card spending that day crossed the 1.3 billion shekel mark. Peak hours are expected between 12:00 and 15:00. In supermarket chains, election day revenues are almost 2.5 times higher than a regular day, but the low traffic on adjacent days offsets the exceptional revenues.