The control of food prices/spokesperson of the State Comptroller
As the Passover holiday approaches, the lists are filled with a wide variety of shopping, more than any other holiday.
Every holiday, we strive to indulge ourselves with rich delicacies on the holiday table, whether it's in a luxurious stay at home or a picnic in nature.
But Passover has a different flavor;
A unique consumer culture that combines complex and strict patterns.
Not only do we purchase all the components of the festive meal, but also a wide variety of additional products: from cleaning materials, through hospitality utensils, wines, meats, to the unique characteristics of the holiday.
Surveys conducted in the past indicate that the phenomenon of large purchases and the search for kosher products for Passover is not limited only to the religious or traditional public.
Even among the secular public, who do not always observe kosher on a daily basis, there is a tendency to eat matzoh and use products created especially for the holiday, as part of the festive experience.
In the traditional and religious sectors, culture and customs move from dimension to dimension, drawing a rich and diverse mosaic.
The differences between the streams, Ashkenazim versus Sephardi, Moroccans versus Iraqis, testify to a cultural and traditional wealth that survives over generations.
Even in the ultra-orthodox sector, the differences between denominations and customs are still present and prominent.
A striking example of this is the attitude towards legumes on Passover, where some communities completely avoid them, while others permit their consumption partially.
This tradition, passed down from father to son, is an integral part of Jewish culture and reflects the multifaceted richness of Jewish identity.
One of the most fascinating insights in the analysis of consumption patterns leading up to Passover does not come from the Jewish audience, but rather from the non-Jewish community.
It seems that the custom of thoroughly cleaning the house and the jump in purchases of cleaning products before the holiday also characterizes the Arab sector.
The cultures and customs gradually become a habit that includes the entire population, when the temptations of the marketing networks and the advertising campaigns focused on leading products affect everyone, regardless of religion, race or nationality.
This phenomenon demonstrates the broad influence of consumer culture and how it crosses borders and connects different communities, even in contexts that do not directly touch the holiday itself.
Seder night table.
Advance the significant shopping for the holiday/ShutterStock
Prices go up in the days before the holiday
In recent years, the aware and sophisticated shopping public has learned to advance holiday shopping for two main reasons.
The first reason is due to the increase in the price of fresh products such as mutton, salmon fillet, and chicken parts, the prices of which climb in the days close to the holiday.
The second reason is related to the fear of expected shortages, a phenomenon that repeats itself every year.
Thus, immediately after preparing the refrigerators and freezers in the homes, we fill the refrigerators with the best products, and the only thing left for us is to plan the recipes and decide who our guests will be on the eve of the holiday.
Not only the fish, poultry and meat products are added to our shopping cart on the eve of the holiday, but also the consumption of wines occupies an important place in the preparations.
Starting from the basic wines for the four glasses in order to the selected wines that accompany the meal, the consumption culture in Israel identifies four key times when a significant jump in the purchase of wines is recorded: Rosh Hashanah, Purim, Passover and New Year's Eve.
A powerful solution to pain
A revolutionary pain treatment technology has been approved by the FDA for home use
In collaboration with Solio
shopping in the supermarket.
Prepare to pounce/Ruben Castro
During these periods, the purchase and consumption are spread out over time, when consumers take advantage of the holiday sales and purchase large quantities, for example, four bottles at a discounted price.
Some even say that wine is not just a drink, but an integral part of the festive experience, adding depth and elegance to every meal and gathering. In recent years, we recognize the transition of the consumer public from Kiddush wines to premium table wines, starting from Kiddush on Shabbat Eve to the four glasses on Seder night.
Before you rush to the supermarket and start filling the cart with a wide variety of products, it is important to carefully plan your holiday purchases.
You must examine in which supermarket you can find the most profitable basket, where the shopping is most convenient and accessible for you, and whether saving a few shekels will really contribute to overall savings in expenses.
Before you go to the supermarket, it is important to prepare a detailed shopping list, check how many guests you expect, how many meals you will need to prepare, and what amount of groceries is required for this.
Throwing away food and unnecessary expenses can increase household expenses and contribute to the accumulation of the annual deficit, without any need or efficiency.
Half free is the best value, in taste we'll pay the most/image processing, Retail Research Institute
The results of the test: a difference of one third between the networks
For Passover, we put together a typical shopping basket that includes a wide variety of 77 different products, among which you can find fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits, fresh chicken products, fresh and frozen fish such as salmon, tilapia and bream, soups and sauces, basic cooking products, preserves, a selection of wines and soft drinks , dairy products and their substitutes, hygiene and care items, and we did not forget the basket of cleaning and laundry materials to complete the tradition in full.
We tested the basket in 7 leading marketing chains to identify where the cheapest basket is and to reveal the differences in prices between the different chains.
The goal is to provide you with the best information for planning and carrying out your shopping for the holiday, so that you can celebrate without compromising on quality or dealing with unnecessary expenses.
The results show that the average basket price in the sample is NIS 1,147, the difference between the cheapest basket and the most expensive basket in the sample is NIS 323, while the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive basket is 32%.
The chain that presents the cheapest basket is the half-free department store chain with a basket costing NIS 1,010, after and at a gap of NIS 58 is the Rami Levy chain with a basket costing NIS 1,068.
The most expensive basket in the sample is found in the Tiv Taam chain at a cost of NIS 1,333.
Increased wine consumption during Passover: "The public is switching from Kiddush wines to premium table wines"/Walla! system, Mira Eitan
7 rules of thumb for the right purchase
When planning purchases for the holiday, it is important to consider not only the price, but also the quantity and quality of the products we purchase, the distance, the time required for shopping, the service and the shopping experience.
Here are some tips that will help you manage your shopping in a smart and informed way:
1. Price comparison: Before you go shopping, check the prices in several different chains.
There are apps and websites such as the Pricez website that allow you to compare prices and can save you a lot of money.
2. Online purchase: saving time and travel expenses can be significant.
Many of the chains offer unique promotions for purchasing online, and thus you can also avoid sudden and unplanned purchases.
3. Buying in quantity: items that you know you will use and that do not spoil easily (such as wine, matzah, and cleaning materials) should be bought in large quantities, especially if there is a quantity sale.
4. Making a list and sticking to it: A detailed shopping list will help you avoid unnecessary shopping and know exactly what you need.
It will also make it easier for you to compare prices and choose the most profitable place to shop.
5. Planning in advance: try to plan the meals and dishes you want to prepare for the holiday.
This will help you know which specific groceries you need and avoid unnecessary purchases.
6. Use of coupons and vouchers: Before you go shopping, check if you have any coupons or benefits that can be used.
Many of the chains offer discounts to credit card holders or subscribers on their websites, and it turns out that most of us have shopping vouchers that have not been fully used, so now is the time.
7. Monitoring the budget: Set a budget in advance for holiday shopping and try to stay within it.
This will help you control your expenses and avoid unpleasant surprises.
With proper planning and smart use of the available resources, it is possible to celebrate Passover with all the delicacies and customs, without exceeding the budget.
The survey was carried out in collaboration with the Retail Research Institute through the Pricez website and the Ministry of Economy website and as of 03/25/2024 T.L.H.
The writer is the founder and president of the Retail Research Institute.
More on the same topic:
Passover
food prices
Compare prices