Supermarket chain reports rise in sales of canned goods, bottled water & adhesive tape for gas-proofing rooms.
In addition to war preparations, Israelis are buying food & gifts for the Jewish New Year.
With tension in Syria rising and Rosh Hashana rapidly approaching, Israeli shoppers have been busy in recent days.
Shoppers at a Rami Levy supermarket branch in Nesher, near Haifa, on Thursday – Photo: Michel Dot Com
On the one hand, Israelis are filling their shopping carts with food for holiday meals and gifts for their hosts. But at the same time, they’re grabbing adhesive tape for creating sealed rooms in case of chemical attack.
The preparations for a possible war are most pronounced in the north. The owner of the Rami Levy supermarket chain said, “We’ve noticed in our branches in the north an increase in the purchases of bottled water and canned goods.” According to the supermarket chain, sales of canned goods and bottled water have jumped by as much as 35 percent in the north.
But the product that is flying off the shelves most quickly is adhesive tape, sales of which have skyrocketed by no less than 150%.
The Home Center chain, which sells hardware supplies, reported a relatively slight increases in sales of adhesive tape, plastic sheets, emergency lights, small radios and light blankets.
Along with preparing for the worst, Israelis are also gearing up for Rosh Hashana. Due to its timing this year, Rosh Hashana (from Wednesday night through Friday) will give Israelis a four-day weekend.
“Because the holiday last four days this year, consumers are buying twice the amount of goods as for a normal weekend,” Rami Levy said.
View original Israel Hayom publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=11689
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