Shufersal to Replace Super-Pharm With Be at Haifa’s Lev Hamifratz Mall

Shufersal plans to open the 99th branch of its Be pharmacy chain at Lev Hamifratz mall in Haifa, replacing a longstanding Super-Pharm store. The plan was disclosed on November 9. The Super-Pharm branch has closed, and the Be store is to open after extensive renovation; an opening date has not been specified. Shufersal holds 59% of the mall, also known as Cinemall, through its property arm, LARO. Super-Pharm’s long-term lease expired, and Shufersal chose not to renew it, allocating the premises to its own pharmacy chain instead. The shopping center is near the Check Post junction and a railway station. The replacement forms part of Be’s expansion under chief executive Eitan Sayada. Shufersal’s controlling shareholders, Yossi and Shlomi Amir, have opted to retain and develop the pharmacy business following earlier reports that they might sell the loss-making chain. Be is expanding its branch network and placing an emphasis on international brands. The group’s property holdings extend beyond the Haifa mall. Shufersal’s property portfolio is valued at NIS 5.5 billion and covers 251,000 square meters, including premises leased to its supermarket branches. It also includes commercial centers in Mazkeret Batya, Kochav Yair and Rehovot. At Lev Hamifratz, renovation is the stated step before the planned Be opening.