What does 1+1 mean in an Israeli supermarket?

1+1 means buy one, get one free. A live Carrefour 1+1 offer frees the cheapest qualifying item, so mixing products of different prices saves less than half.

Is the price per 100 grams what I pay?

No. מחיר ל־100 גרם is a comparison unit price; the pack price is what you pay. Multiply the 100 g price by 10 to compare with a price per kilogram.

What is mivtsa moadon?

מבצע מועדון is a club member price. The chain may require you to identify before payment, activate a coupon or pay with its card, and one chain's club does not work at another.

Why is the unit price on a sale sign higher than the deal?

During a sale, the mandatory unit price is based on the ordinary price. A retailer may also show a promotional unit price, but often you must calculate the 2 ב־₪X unit price yourself.

What if the checkout charges more than the shelf price?

The Consumer Protection Authority states that the displayed price is binding. The displayed price must also be the total, including VAT and any mandatory charges.

Israeli Supermarket Signs: 1+1, Unit Price, Club

Prices and Discounts

On the label or sign

במקום: instead of

מחיר רגיל / מחיר מחירון / מחיר קודםRegular price

mechir ragil / mechir mechiron / mechir kodem

US English

Regular price, list price or was price

UK English

Regular price or was price

What it is

מחיר רגיל is the comparison price before the promotion, often smaller, crossed out or introduced by במקום, instead of. Israeli law requires a sale notice to give the prior price and either the discount rate or the after-discount price.

The difference

מחיר מחירון on a retailer page is the retailer's comparison price, not necessarily a manufacturer's MSRP.

Common mistake

Do not read the big sale number without checking what the smaller מחיר רגיל figure represents.

On the label or sign

במבצע: on sale

מחיר מבצע / במבצע!Sale price

mechir mivtsa / be-mivtsa

US English

Sale price or on sale

UK English

Offer price or on offer

What it is

מחיר מבצע is the price under the advertised sale conditions. A מחיר מבצע may be a simple one-item reduction or one layer of an offer with a quantity, membership, payment or spend condition.

The difference

A מחיר מבצע flag usually comes with an end date and sometimes a redemption limit.

Common mistake

Do not assume every red or yellow מחיר מבצע is unconditional.

On the label or sign

הנחה: discount

הנחה של X%Percent off

hanacha shel X achuz

US English

X% off

UK English

X% off

What it is

הנחה של X% is a percentage reduction from the stated prior or ordinary price.

The difference

A הנחה percentage says nothing about the final shekel price or the unit price compared with another product.

Common mistake

Do not compare הנחה percentages without comparing the final price and the unit price.

On the label or sign

רק: only

רק ₪X / ב־₪XOnly X shekels

rak X shekel / be-X shekel

US English

Only X or for X

UK English

Only X or for X

What it is

רק ₪X is a fixed promotional selling price.

The difference

A רק ₪X price is sometimes conditional on a minimum spend or other terms printed smaller nearby.

Common mistake

Do not read the big רק price and miss the spend threshold next to it.

מחיר מפוקח / בפיקוחPrice-controlled item

mechir mefukach / be-pikuach

US English

Government-controlled maximum price

UK English

Price-controlled maximum price

What it is

מחיר מפוקח means the item belongs to a category with a government-set maximum consumer price, often staples such as specified milk, eggs, white cheese, hard cheese, sour cream and cream.

The difference

מחיר מפוקח is a maximum, not one identical price for every brand, size or retailer, and premium or flavored versions are not automatically covered.

Common mistake

Do not treat מחיר מפוקח as a fixed price for every version; check the exact product in the Ministry of Economy listing.

On the label or sign

כולל מע״מ: VAT included

המחיר הכולל / כולל מע״מTotal price, VAT included

ha-mechir ha-kolel / kolel ma'am

US English

Total price, tax included

UK English

Total price, VAT included

What it is

המחיר הכולל is the final total the seller collects, including VAT and other mandatory charges you cannot decline, normally shown in shekels.

The difference

The total price rule applies whether or not the sign says כולל מע״מ; there is no sales tax to add on top.

Common mistake

Do not add US-style sales tax in your head or accept a mandatory fee added only at checkout.

On the label or sign

חייב בפיקדון: deposit required

חייב בפיקדוןBottle deposit

chayav be-pikadon

US English

Container or bottle deposit

UK English

Container or bottle deposit

What it is

חייב בפיקדון on a beverage container means the container carries a refundable deposit. The national rule covers marked beverage containers from 0.1 to 5 litres, with stated exceptions such as milk and dairy containers and containers mainly of paper or cardboard.

The difference

The displayed store price should already include the פיקדון, not add it at checkout.

Common mistake

Do not treat the פיקדון as a discount or accept it as an extra charge above the displayed price.

Multibuys

On the label or sign

מגוון מוצרי מבצע: range of sale products

1+1Buy one, get one free

echad plus echad

US English

BOGO, buy one get one free

UK English

BOGOF, buy one get one free

What it is

1+1 means one qualifying item is charged and one is free under the offer rules. A live Carrefour 1+1 offer frees the cheapest item among all qualifying items bought.

The difference

A 1+1 deal on a mixed range saves less than 50% when the two items have different prices.

Common mistake

Do not assume any two items in the aisle qualify for 1+1 or that unequal prices give half off the pair.

On the label or sign

השני: the second

השני ב־X% הנחהSecond item discounted

ha-sheni be-X achuz hanacha

US English

Second item X% off

UK English

Second item X% off

What it is

השני ב־X% הנחה applies the reduction to the second qualifying item. The offer must disclose its eligible range and conditions.

The difference

The השני discount does not apply to both items, and which item gets it is set by each offer's small print.

Common mistake

Do not apply the percentage to both items or assume the pricier item gets the השני discount; read the small print.

On the label or sign

קנו 2 יח׳: buy 2 units

2 ב־₪X / 3 ב־₪XMultibuy

shtayim be-X shekel / shalosh be-X shekel

US English

2 for X or 3 for X

UK English

2 for X or 3 for X multibuy

What it is

2 ב־₪X means the stated total applies only when you buy the required number of qualifying units. The sign often adds קנו 2 יח׳, buy 2 units.

The difference

One unit still costs its single-item price. During a sale, the mandatory unit price is based on the ordinary price, so you may need to work out the promotional unit price yourself.

Common mistake

Do not divide the 2 ב־₪X total and expect to buy one at that amount.

On the label or sign

חינם: free
מתנה: gift

קנו X, קבלו Y חינם / מתנהBuy X, get Y free

knu X, kablu Y chinam / matana

US English

Buy X, get Y free or free gift

UK English

Buy X, get Y free or free gift

What it is

קנו X, קבלו Y חינם is a conditional bonus item, a special sale whose eligible products and conditions must be disclosed. 1+1 is the short form when X and Y are one item each.

The difference

The bonus under קנו X, קבלו Y חינם needs the required base item, and not every flavor or size qualifies.

Common mistake

Do not take the חינם item without the required base item.

On the label or sign

בחרו: choose

מגוון מוצרים / ממגווןSelected range

migvan mutsarim / mi-migvan

US English

Selected range or mix and match

UK English

Selected range or mix and match

What it is

מגוון מוצרים means the offer covers a defined assortment, usually listed or linked.

The difference

מגוון does not mean every nearby product or every product from the brand.

Common mistake

Do not treat מגוון מוצרים as everything on the shelf; match the exact product name, size and barcode.

On the label or sign

הזול מבין כלל המוצרים שיירכשו ע״י הלקוח: the cheapest of all products the customer buys

הזול מביניהם / הזול מבין כלל המוצריםCheapest item free

ha-zol mi-beineihem / ha-zol mi-bein klal ha-mutsarim

US English

Cheapest item free or discounted

UK English

Cheapest item free or discounted

What it is

הזול מביניהם means the lowest-priced qualifying item is the one made free or reduced. The clause usually sits in small parentheses after the headline offer.

The difference

Under הזול מביניהם, the expensive item in a pair is the one you pay for.

Common mistake

Do not pair a cheap and an expensive item and expect the expensive one to be free.

Unit Prices

מחיר ל־100 גרםPrice per 100 grams

mechir le-me'a gram

US English

Price per 100 g; US shelves often use per oz or lb

UK English

Price per 100 g

What it is

מחיר ל־100 גרם is a comparison unit price for prepacked food and cosmetics under 1 kg, and for some bulk goods such as nuts and dried fruit. The sign shows it in small print beside the pack price.

The difference

מחיר ל־100 גרם is not the checkout charge; the pack price is what you pay.

Common mistake

Do not compare מחיר ל־100 גרם with another product's מחיר לק״ג without multiplying by 10.

מחיר ל־100 מ״לPrice per 100 ml

mechir le-me'a mililiter

US English

Price per 100 mL; US may use per fl oz

UK English

Price per 100 ml

What it is

מחיר ל־100 מ״ל is the volume comparison price for prepacked food and cosmetics under 1 litre, used for oils, sprays and toiletries.

The difference

מחיר ל־100 מ״ל measures volume, not weight.

Common mistake

Do not read millilitres as grams or compare מחיר ל־100 מ״ל with a price per 100 grams.

On the label or sign

לק״ג: per kilogram

מחיר לק״גPrice per kilogram

mechir le-kilogram

US English

Price per kilogram; often per pound in the US

UK English

Price per kilogram

What it is

מחיר לק״ג is the rate per kilogram. For goods sold by weight, מחיר לק״ג may be the basis of the actual checkout calculation; for packaged goods it may only be a comparison price.

The difference

Fresh produce and deli signs show מחיר לק״ג, not the price of the piece in your hand.

Common mistake

Do not assume the מחיר לק״ג is the price of the tray or piece you picked up.

On the label or sign

לליטר: per litre

מחיר לליטרPrice per litre

mechir le-liter

US English

Price per liter; often per quart or gallon in the US

UK English

Price per litre

What it is

מחיר לליטר is the standard comparison price for goods sold by volume at or above the relevant threshold, often bottles or household liquids.

The difference

One litre equals ten lots of 100 ml, so מחיר לליטר is ten times a price per 100 ml.

Common mistake

Do not compare מחיר לליטר directly with a price per 100 ml.

מחיר למטר / מחיר למ״רPrice per meter

mechir le-meter / mechir le-meter meruba

US English

Price per foot or square foot

UK English

Price per metre or square metre

What it is

מחיר למטר and מחיר למ״ר are unit price bases for length and area, used for rolls, foil, table coverings and similar goods.

The difference

מחיר למטר is a comparison figure; the roll length is printed separately.

Common mistake

Do not read מחיר למטר as the whole roll price.

On the label or sign

יח׳: units

ליחידה / ליח׳Per item

li-yechida / li-yech

US English

Each or per item

UK English

Each or per item

What it is

ליחידה, shortened ליח׳, is a price for one countable unit, as in ₪X ליח׳. Pack counts are written 2 יח׳ or 100 יח׳.

The difference

ליחידה differs from the price of a multipack and from a weight-based unit price.

Common mistake

Do not confuse the ליחידה price of an item inside the pack with the price of the whole pack.

משקל משתנה / מחיר לפי משקלSold by weight

mishkal mishtane / mechir lefi mishkal

US English

Random weight or sold by weight

UK English

Variable weight or sold by weight

What it is

משקל משתנה means the displayed rate is applied to the actual weighed amount, so each pack total varies. Produce, butcher, fish, cheese, deli and bakery trays carry a label with weight, rate and total.

The difference

Under משקל משתנה, two trays of the same product cost different amounts.

Common mistake

Do not expect every משקל משתנה tray to cost the headline kilogram price.

On the label or sign

מארז: multipack

מארז / X יחידותMultipack

ma'araz / X yechidot

US English

Multipack or X count

UK English

Multipack or X pack

What it is

A מארז is a retail pack with several inner units, shown with a multiplication sign such as 4×160 גרם or with יח׳.

The difference

The selling price of a מארז is for the whole pack unless the label says ליחידה.

Common mistake

Do not treat the count or per-unit figure on a מארז as the whole pack price.

Club and Card Offers

On the label or sign

לחברי מועדון בלבד: club members only

מבצע מועדון / לחברי מועדון בלבדClub member price

mivtsa mo'adon / le-chavrei mo'adon bilvad

US English

Loyalty or club-card price

UK English

Loyalty or member price

What it is

מבצע מועדון is a conditional price for identified club members. Official guidance says the shelf sign should say members only and show the ordinary price too.

The difference

Membership alone may not be enough: Shufersal requires member identification before payment, and joining one chain's club does not work at another chain.

Common mistake

Do not assume the מבצע מועדון price applies to every shopper; identify as a member before you pay.

On the label or sign

בתשלום בכרטיס: when paying by card

מחזיקי כרטיס / בתשלום בכרטיסCardholder price

machzikei kartis / be-tashlum be-kartis

US English

Cardholder price or pay-with-card offer

UK English

Cardholder price or pay-with-card offer

What it is

מחזיקי כרטיס marks a payment-method offer, narrower than club membership. Rami Levy's terms say card offers need payment for all qualifying products with the specified Rami Levy card.

The difference

A מחזיקי כרטיס price needs the named card at payment, such as a chain's co-branded card or a badge like MaxCard במבצע.

Common mistake

Do not give your club number, pay with another card and expect the מחזיקי כרטיס price.

On the label or sign

יש להפעיל: must be activated

קופון / קופון אישי / יש להפעילDigital coupon

kupon / kupon ishi / yesh le-haf'il

US English

Digital or personalized coupon

UK English

App coupon or personalised voucher

What it is

A קופון אישי is a targeted or app-based entitlement that may need activation (יש להפעיל) before checkout and may have a use limit.

The difference

A קופון is not attached to your basket automatically, and a personal קופון is not available to every account.

Common mistake

Do not assume an advertised קופון applies without activating it in the app.

Conditions and Fine Print

בקנייה מעל ₪XMinimum spend

be-kniya me'al X shekel

US English

With purchase over X

UK English

When you spend over X

What it is

בקנייה מעל ₪X means the special price unlocks only after the basket reaches the stated amount, subject to any exclusions.

The difference

Whether the promotional item or excluded categories count toward a בקנייה מעל threshold depends on each offer's terms.

Common mistake

Do not miss the בקנייה מעל condition printed in small type after the headline price.

On the label or sign

מימושים: redemptions

מוגבל ל־X יחידות / מימושיםPurchase limit

mugbal le-X yechidot / mimushim

US English

Limit X per customer

UK English

Maximum X per customer

What it is

מוגבל ל־X caps eligible quantity, weight or redemptions; a live Carrefour fish offer was capped at 6 kg. A מימוש is one redemption.

The difference

One מימוש of a multibuy may cover more than one unit.

Common mistake

Do not read מוגבל ל־2 מימושים as two individual products.

אין כפל מבצעיםNo combining offers

ein kefel mivtsa'im

US English

Offers cannot be combined

UK English

Offers cannot be combined

What it is

אין כפל מבצעים means the retailer will not stack the offer with another promotion unless the terms say otherwise.

The difference

Under אין כפל מבצעים, a coupon, club price, multibuy and card benefit do not all apply together.

Common mistake

Do not expect several promotions to stack when the fine print says אין כפל מבצעים.

On the label or sign

בתוקף עד: valid until

בתוקף מ־… עד …Valid dates

be-tokef mi… ad…

US English

Valid from... through...

UK English

Valid from... until...

What it is

בתוקף מ־… עד … is the offer's validity window, usually below the description in day, month, year order.

The difference

Israeli dates put the day first, so 09/11/2026 is 9 November.

Common mistake

Do not read 09/11/2026 as September 11 or assume the sign is still current.

עד גמר המלאיWhile supplies last

ad gmar ha-melai

US English

While supplies last

UK English

While stocks last

What it is

עד גמר המלאי means the offer can end when the stated stock runs out.

The difference

Ordinarily an advertiser must hold reasonable stock for the scale of the promotion unless the notice says otherwise.

Common mistake

Do not treat עד גמר המלאי as permission to advertise with no reasonable stock.

לא כולל / למעטExclusions

lo kolel / le-ma'et

US English

Excluding

UK English

Excluding or except

What it is

לא כולל and למעט list express exclusions, such as brands, sizes, departments or channels. Israeli law requires the notice to make clear what is and is not included.

The difference

A product in the headline category can still be excluded under לא כולל.

Common mistake

Do not read only the headline category and miss an excluded size or variant.

On the label or sign

בסניפים בלבד: in stores only

בסניפים המשתתפים / אונליין בלבדParticipating stores only

ba-snifim ha-mishtatfim / online bilvad

US English

Participating stores or online only

UK English

Participating stores or online only

What it is

בסניפים המשתתפים and אונליין בלבד mean the offer is limited to certain branches or channels. Rami Levy says member offers do not apply in its neighborhood stores or online unless the ad says so.

The difference

Super-Pharm says online prices and offers can differ from its stores.

Common mistake

Do not show an online screenshot at a physical checkout and expect the same price.

You know	Look for	Keep in mind
Buy one, get one free	1+1echad plus echad	Cheaper item is often the free one
Unit price per ounce	מחיר ל־100 גרםmechir le-me'a gram	Comparison only, not the pack price
Price per pound	מחיר לק״גmechir le-kilogram	100 g price times 10
Club card price	מבצע מועדוןmivtsa mo'adon	Identify before you pay
2 for X	2 ב־₪Xshtayim be-X shekel	One unit stays full price
Was price	מחיר רגילmechir ragil	Often after במקום
While supplies last	עד גמר המלאיad gmar ha-melai	Stock must still be reasonable
Bottle deposit	חייב בפיקדוןchayav be-pikadon	Included in the shelf price

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Prices and Discounts

מחיר רגיל / מחיר מחירון / מחיר קודםRegular price

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מחיר מבצע / במבצע!Sale price

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הנחה של X%Percent off

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

רק ₪X / ב־₪XOnly X shekels

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מחיר מפוקח / בפיקוחPrice-controlled item

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

המחיר הכולל / כולל מע״מTotal price, VAT included

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חייב בפיקדוןBottle deposit

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Multibuys

1+1Buy one, get one free

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

השני ב־X% הנחהSecond item discounted

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

2 ב־₪X / 3 ב־₪XMultibuy

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קנו X, קבלו Y חינם / מתנהBuy X, get Y free

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מגוון מוצרים / ממגווןSelected range

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הזול מביניהם / הזול מבין כלל המוצריםCheapest item free

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Unit Prices

מחיר ל־100 גרםPrice per 100 grams

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מחיר ל־100 מ״לPrice per 100 ml

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מחיר לק״גPrice per kilogram

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מחיר לליטרPrice per litre

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מחיר למטר / מחיר למ״רPrice per meter

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ליחידה / ליח׳Per item

What it is

The difference

Common mistake