Sales announced by all chains ahead of Jewish holidays (illustration)
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Stores to raise prices 'after High Holidays'
Despite rise in VAT, Supermarket chains promise to maintain current price level until end of Jewish holiday season
The rise in the value-added tax
and raw material prices are expected to affect the prices of consumer products in Israel,
but food manufacturers and supermarket chains have promised to keep prices at their current levels "until after the High Holidays."
The holiday season is the year's strongest period in terms of sales, and supermarket chains are trying to keep their customers from fleeing to the competitors.
According to estimates, product prices have gone up by at least 10% this year. Nonetheless, supermarket chain officials assert that the total cost of holiday products will be similar to last year's cost due to sales announced by all chains, some of which are selling hundreds of holiday products for NIS 5-10 (about $1.25-2.5) or two for the price of one.
It appears Israeli consumers have begun their holiday shopping earlier than usual this year, most likely for fear of price hikes.
