Store owners insist that Israel’s consumer economy is collapsing due to the coronavirus crisis, but reported figures from a group that processes credit card transactions says Israelis spent only slightly less on Black Friday than the year before.
According to Automated Banking Services Ltd. Israelis spent nearly NIS 882 million ($266 million) on retail goods and services on Friday, down 3.6 percent from 2019, when they spent just over NIS 912 million ($276 million by today’s exchange rate), Ynet reports.
The figures do not include cash transactions.
Friday saw the government allow 15 malls to open as part of a pilot program, with thousands of people going shopping and attempting to take advantage of sales while maneuvering around coronavirus restrictions on crowding. Health officials have reportedly expressed dismay at the crowding seen.
According to the report, Israelis spent 20% more on purchases abroad than they did last year.
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