Citrus fruit
צילום: יהונתן צור, דלית שחם
Christmas gifts, Israeli touch
Israeli businessmen strengthen working relations with international companies through tens of thousands of gift packages sent from Israel worldwide in preparation for Christmas
Christmas, which takes place each December 25th, is fast approaching. It turns out the Israeli market is also affected by the shopping frenzy that occurs during this season each year worldwide.
Gift and delivery companies in Israel reported a 35 percent increase in the number of gifts sent abroad during the Hanukkah and Christmas season. Tens of thousands of gifts are already making their way overseas.
The main destinations for most gifts are the United States and Europe - not exactly places suffering from a lack of luxury products - which is why the gifts sent had an Israeli character to their products: Citrus fruit, Judaica products, and raw materials from Israel such as olive oil, honey, and salt-water cosmetic products.
Gifts that appeal to emotion
UPS Vice President Ronen Cohen explained, "People in Israel look for the special things. Things that can surprise the recipient on the other side and show the importance of the transfer."Sharona Shnitzer, Ben-Ezer Groves' general manager, also said that their gifts appeal to emotion. "No one can give the same quality that we do from our orchards," she said.
Although Israeli's send gifts to family members and friends living abroad, most of the gift orders are made by businessmen and public officials in Israel, who send gifts to companies abroad in efforts to strengthen business ties.
Shnitzer pointed out that the cost of the gifts – ranging from NIS 150-500 (USD 35-120) including shipping – was deliberately low. "Many of the gifts are sent to representative entities and our clients don't want to send gifts that could be considered bribes."
As part of the companies' efficiency, they enable clients to ship their gifts abroad at the press of a button. This means that although UPS is a shipping company, its clients can edit their gift choices and orders through a single service center and receive all services from one company, from the moment they pick out their gift to the moment of delivery.
Ben-Ezer Groves and ZER4U (a flower and gift shop) in cooperation with Aviv Shigur delivery company, advertise their catalogues online and guarantee the delivery of gifts before Christmas
