Israel - Domestic trade

Banks, commercial institutions, and the Histadrut have their headquarters in Tel Aviv–Yafo, the business capital. Supermarkets and department stores are on the increase; installment sales are widespread. Packaged goods are becoming more common, but many sales are still made in bulk. Cooperative societies market the agricultural produce of their affiliated settlements and farms. Tnuva, the Histadrut agricultural marketing society, sells most of Israel's farm products. Advertising media include newspapers, periodicals, posters, billboards, radio broadcasts, and motion picture theaters.

Larger shopping centers and malls are becoming more popular in the country. In 2002, there were about 200 malls nationwide, construction plans for several others. At least half of all food sales are through supermarket and retail chains, but small, open-air produce markets are still common. Foreign franchises have been well established since the mid-1980s, primarily in the fast-food and hardware industries.

Saturday closing is the custom for all shops, offices, banks, public institutions, and transport services, except in the Arab areas. Office hours are generally Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM . Retail hours run from 9 AM to 7 PM Sunday through Thursday and 9 AM TO 2 PM on Fridays. On days preceding holidays, shops shut down about 2 PM , offices at 1 PM . Banks are open 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 to 5:30 PM ; they close at noon on Fridays and days before holidays and have no afternoon hours on Wednesdays.