The start of the summer vacation in July 2026 led to an additional surge in Israeli public spending via charge cards, reaching a record amount for a calendar month of NIS 54.857 billion. This is according to data from Shva (Automated Banking Services), which develops and manages the national payment systems for credit cards and ATMs.
The spending figure for July 2026 represents an increase of over NIS 2.995 billion and 5.8% compared to July 2025, when total spending reached NIS 51.862 billion. The company noted that July 2025 figures were considered exceptionally high, and were affected by the fact that Operation Roaring Lion against Iran took place in June 2026, accompanied by restrictions on economic activity.
Average daily spending in July stood at NIS 1.771 billion. This figure represents a 3.1% increase compared to the average daily spending recorded in June 2026, which stood at NIS 1.718 billion. July 2026 is the second consecutive month in which average daily spending was higher than the NIS 1.7 billion threshold.
<strong>Online spending tops one million transactions a day again</strong><br>
In July 2026, an additional increase was recorded in average daily online transaction spending, which once again crossed the NIS 1 billion threshold. Total online transaction spending reached NIS 31.916 billion in July 2026 - an increase of more than NIS 1.375 billion and 4.5% compared to the NIS 30.541 billion recorded in July 2025.
Average daily online transaction spending reached NIS 1.031 billion over the past month, which was 3% and NIS 30.01 million higher than average daily online transaction spending in June 2026, which stood at NIS 1.001 billion.
At the same time, average daily spending in physical transactions, conducted at business premises themselves, also continued to grow, registering a rise to NIS 740.052 million. This amount is 3.3% and NIS 23.37 million higher than the June 2026 figure of NIS 716.683 million. Total physical transaction spending in July 2026 stood at NIS 22.942 billion, a 7.6% and more than NIS 1.621 billion increase compared to the NIS 21.321 billion recorded in July 2025.
<strong>By sector: Leisure and restaurants surge, while air travel declines</strong><br>
An analysis of Shva data by key commercial sectors in the economy reveals notable changes in the Israeli public's consumption habits in July 2026 compared to July 2025.
The sharpest growth was recorded in the leisure and entertainment sector, which jumped by 14.86% to reach spending of NIS 409.993 million, compared to NIS 356.957 million in July last year. Another major sector recording impressive growth was delicatessens, butcher shops, bakeries, mini-markets, and convenience stores, which climbed 13.48% to spending of NIS 1.818 billion (compared to NIS 1.602 billion in 2025).
The start of the summer break and increased outdoor activity were also clearly evident in the restaurants, cafes, and fast food sector, which recorded an 11.64% increase to reach NIS 4.018 billion, compared to NIS 3.599 billion last July.
Additional sectors recording increases include:
Pharma and pharmacies: An 8.99% increase to NIS 1.394 billion.
Fuel: A 6.89% increase to NIS 2.016 billion.
Food chains: A 6.61% increase to NIS 6.566 billion (the sector with the highest total spending).
Hotels and guest accommodations: A 5.52% increase to NIS 1.186 billion.
Apparel and footwear: A 4.89% increase to NIS 2.893 billion.
Electrical items and electronics: A 3.19% increase to NIS 3.077 billion.
Conversely, the sector suffering the steepest decline was aviation, which posted a 12.34% drop to total just NIS 485.464 million in July 2026, compared to NIS 553.808 million in July 2025. A slight decrease was also recorded in the travel agency sector, which declined 1.64% to a total spending volume of NIS 1.678 billion.
Cash withdrawals from ATMs hit a record high
The volume of cash withdrawals from bank ATMs in July was the highest recorded since August 2023, prior to the outbreak of the war. Total cash withdrawals from bank ATMs in July 2026 stood at NIS 6.057 billion. This figure represents a 1.1% and NIS 66 million increase compared to cash withdrawal volume of NIS 5.991 billion in July 2025.
Average daily cash withdrawals in July 2026 stood at NIS 195.391 million, which was 2% and NIS 3.89 million higher than the average daily withdrawal recorded in June 2026 of NIS 191.501 million. For comparison, prior to the start of the war, in August 2023, average daily cash withdrawals from bank ATMs set the previous record of NIS 194.942 million.