In recent years, November has become the main shopping month in Israel and around the world, during which consumers face a flood of international and local sales events. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the Chinese Singles’ Day, and local initiatives such as Shopping IL, it’s easy to get lost and miss the real opportunities. Here’s everything you need to know before you open your wallet.
Shopping IL – Local and online shopping in Israel
When: During November, alongside international events.
Origin: Shopping IL began 12 years ago as a Google initiative aimed at strengthening and promoting the local online commerce industry, helping Israeli businesses grow, and providing Israeli consumers with a diverse and worthwhile shopping experience. As part of the preparations for the November shopping event, and throughout the year, Google provides business owners with tools, programs, and training in artificial intelligence and more, to help them improve their digital tools, reach customers across the country, and continue improving the online shopping experience.
Impact on the consumer: Shopping IL allows consumers to enjoy discounts on Israeli brands, support the local economy, and save time and money on online purchases, without relying on international shipping or encountering unexpected import taxes.
Chinese Singles’ Day – The biggest retail holiday in the world
When: November 11.
Origin: Singles’ Day started in China as a way for people who are not in a relationship to treat themselves and enjoy shopping. Over the years, it has become the largest shopping day in the world, with sales reaching tens of billions of dollars.
What happens in Israel: Chinese shopping habits have reached Israeli consumers as well, mainly through international e-commerce sites such as AliExpress and Amazon. Deals on clothing, gadgets, and electronics reach Israeli shoppers, including shipping to Israel at attractive prices.
Impact on the consumer: This is a day when you can find especially low prices on products that are not necessarily available in other local sales, but it’s important to pay attention to shipping costs and longer delivery times.
Black Friday – The peak of the month
When: The last Friday of November (November 28, 2025).
Origin: The celebrations began in the United States as the “shopping day” after Thanksgiving.
What happens in Israel: In recent years, Black Friday has become a major event in Israel as well. Large retail chains in various fields (electronics and fashion) and international online stores offer significant discounts on a wide range of products – from large electrical appliances to gadgets, fashion, and footwear.
Impact on the consumer: It’s a day when you can find attractive deals, but the discounted prices can sometimes tempt you into unnecessary purchases. It’s recommended to do a price comparison in advance, prepare a shopping list, and compare between stores – both physical and online. In most cases, the discounts are not limited to the day itself but extend over several days or even weeks.
Cyber Monday – The digital day
When: The Monday following Black Friday (this year, Cyber Monday falls on December 1, but it is still considered part of the shopping month).
Origin: It started in the United States as a response to the Black Friday sales in physical stores, focusing on online deals.
What happens in Israel: In Israel, Cyber Monday has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially among young and tech-savvy consumers. Online stores, electronics retailers, and fashion chains offer additional discounts that are not always available on Black Friday, with a focus on online shopping.
Impact on the consumer: If Black Friday is more of an “in-store experience,” Cyber Monday allows consumers to shop conveniently from home, compare prices quickly, and find especially good deals on tech products.
What should you do before you buy?
Ahead of Black Friday and other sale days, some stores raise prices before the event and display a “so-called” discount. To make sure it’s a real discount, it’s recommended to track prices a week or two in advance or use websites and browser extensions that monitor price history. This way, you can tell if the discount is genuine – or just a marketing trick.
When shopping online, it’s a good idea to use a credit card dedicated to online purchases, or secure payment apps like PayPal and Apple Pay that add a layer of protection. Avoid entering personal details on an unfamiliar or suspicious site, and activate credit charge alerts to immediately detect any irregular activity. In general, it’s recommended to shop on well-known sites like Amazon, AliExpress, or the official websites of major retailers.
Taking advantage of opportunities – without losing control
November offers countless deals, but to make the most of them smartly, it’s best not to get carried away by every offer that pops up. Smart shopping starts with planning ahead. If you know in advance which products you actually need, you can avoid the temptation of impulsive purchases that do nothing but add unnecessary items to your home.
Creating an organized shopping list is the best way to ensure you’re not buying things just because of a special price. Prepare a list of items you truly need – whether it’s a tech gadget, clothing, or even gifts – and this way, you can focus only on the deals that are really worthwhile for you and avoid unnecessary purchases.
It’s also recommended to set a budget in advance and define spending limits for each item on the list. This will help you maintain financial discipline during the shopping spree. Such planning will also prevent the common feeling of “it’ll be too late later” that often comes with events like Black Friday, where it seems as though the deals have a very short window. If you approach the sales with clear intentions and a prepared list, you’ll be able to look for the real discounts without getting distracted by random offers that could throw you off your goal.
In addition, you can take advantage of the ability to compare prices between different stores. Price comparison sites, such as Zap, let you see not only whether the product’s price is good but also whether it’s a genuine discount or if it was actually lower before the sale began. Comparing prices and buying products only from stores you trust will ensure you don’t fall for hasty purchases and will make November a smart opportunity rather than a budget pitfall.
Ultimately, true opportunity lies in knowing when to buy, what to buy, and how much to spend – with planning and clear goals. If you stay focused and keep within your budget and real needs, November can be an excellent time to save without feeling like you paid too high a price.
Prepare an organized shopping list in advance – what is truly necessary, and what only “seems worthwhile.” This way, you’ll avoid impulsive purchases and focus on real discounts on products you would have bought even without the sale.