Greenberg
In addition to the 20 branches already open around the country, Greenberg has opened three separate stores devoted to housewares, a $3 million investment. Within this framework, the chain has begun exclusive import of $2 million in housewares from Spain.
The Greenberg houseware super-stores are spread out over spaces ranging from 300 to 700 sq.m., and are located alongside the chain’s supermarkets at Romema in Jerusalem, the Canion Sharona mall at Kfar Sava, and in Bnei Brak opposite the Canion Ayalon mall.
Super Pharm
Super Pharm is completing construction of its new cosmetics departments, whose development cost $4 million.
The chain expects especially lively activity as the holidays approach, and estimates some 50,000 customers will enter Super Pharm each day.
Super Pharm has ordered thousands of picture frames, which will be given out as a complimentary gift with purchase. Most branches will be open longer. The London Ministore branch in Tel Aviv, and the Canion Ayalon branch in Ramat Gan have already announced they will open on a 24 hour basis, permanently.
Super Office
Super Office, the Staples affiliate which has four branches around the country, has prepared a selection of gifts such as luxury writing pens and attachי cases, along with a range of diaries and wall calendars. The decorative motifs for this year have an Israeli feel, featuring folklore motifs and landscapes.
Haagen Dazs
The ice cream chain, with 5 points of purchase in Israel, has lowered prices on family-sized packages, to NIS 19.99 from NIS 24. Sales of individual ice cream portions will be discounted accordingly.
Bug Store
During the holiday season, the computer store, which has 15 outlets around the country, will offer Epson and Hewlett Packard printers and Compaq computers at discount prices (payable in 10 interest-free installments).
Blue Square Chain Stores
Over 5,000 food and cleaning products, housewares and presents have been discounted by 5-10% at all Blue Square stores.
This year, the supermarket chain introduces an innovation to workers’ councils and factory managements, all of which distribute gifts to members in honor of the holidays. Called "The Biggies’ Combined Coupon," the coupon may be redeemed at Blue Square, Hamashbir, Marks & Spencer, Home Center and HyperShuk outlets, numbering 300 stores around the country. The coupons will also be accepted by Arkia airlines and Office Depot stores.
Blue Square’s main branches will be open 24 hours a day, prior to the holidays.
Shekem
Department store Shekem’s supermarket division has readied itself for the holidays with purchases of 250 tons of fresh meat, 250 tons of frozen meat, 500 tons of chicken and chicken parts, 150 tons of fish, 2,500 tons of fruit, 2,500 tons of vegetables, 15 tons of honey cake, plus 50 tons of honey in special holiday packs of all shapes and sizes.
Shekem has also announced a series of holiday price specials: customers spending NIS 499 and over may pay in 6 interest-free installments. The "Super Shekem for a Shekel" campaign puts a different leading Israeli brand name item on sale every day for a single shekel, with every NIS 99 purchase.
Shekem Electric has come out with a number of specials for security force members, IDF retirees and handicapped veterans. All will be granted a 25% discount on electrical and electronic appliances, upon presentation of an identification. The special offer is available until September 19th.
Hamashbir Lezarchan
Hamashbir Lezarchan is gearing up in a big way for the
upcoming Jewish holidays. Meira Gazit, head of Hamashbir
Lezarchan's Marketing Division, says: "We are preparing
to offer thousands of personal gift items and goods to
the consumer public. Our preparations extend to all sales
departments in the chain, though the most important of
these are household appliances, home textiles, cosmetics
and fashion."
The Hamashbir Lezarchan chain will extend its opening
hours at all branches. The department stores will be open
until 11 pm. Hamashbir will be open on Saturday night,
September 7.
Office Depot
For the first time, the Office Depot chain has joined
Blue Square coupon program. Office Depot last year
conducted a survey of gift-purchasing trends prior to the
Jewish holidays, and found Blue Square gift vouchers to
be top of the list, followed by electronic appliances. In
view of the survey, Office Depot has this year increased
its range of electronic appliances: esspresso machines,
microwave ovens, pen-recorders, radio-tape recorders,
food processors, and others.
Office Depot has also obtained sole rights to sell
various types of Elite and Baron Wine Cellars gift
baskets, as well as personal gifts to managers and
employees.
A special catalogue just published by Office Depot
lists special offers and deals, as well as a range of
goods priced 30% less for special customers of Office
Depot. Orders are taken by telephone or fax machine only.
Super-Sol
Super-Sol will import some 100 containers of household
appliances prior to the Jewish New Year. The merchandise
will be imported from the Far East and Europe and will
cost $4 million inclusively. The chain expects a 40%
increase of sales in comparison to the New Year period
last year.
Super-Sol will this year offer identical purchase
vouchers to 24 chains under the name: "Golden Voucher".
Six of the chains are part of the Super-Sol group,
fashion, electricity, travel agencies and others. Those
acquiring the vouchers will be able to purchase a large
variety of food products, household appliances,
electrical appliances, clothing, gifts, office equipment,
do-it-yourself products and footwear, at outlets
countrywide.
The Hyperkol chain has announced that as of September
1 until New Year, it will be possible to purchase goods
worth NIS 500 or more, in 8 unlinked, interest-free installments,
using a credit card.