Shuk Ha’ir Reportedly Expands Direct Imports and Targets 40 Stores

Supermarket chain Shuk Ha’ir has begun importing groceries directly and is targeting expansion from 16 stores to 40, according to a report published on November 9. Brothers Shashi and Ilan Sheva, the controlling owners of Bikurei Sadeh, have taken responsibility for the chain’s day-to-day management and commercial policy, the report said. In an interview, Ilan Sheva said direct purchasing exposed gaps of up to 50% between overseas manufacturers’ prices and the prices Israeli importers charge retailers. He claimed importers retain most of that difference. ‘Direct imports allow us to reduce prices significantly in the chain,’ Sheva said. The chain’s imports include canned goods, oil, rice, sugar and tuna under the Bikurei Sadeh brand. It has also introduced SEAS 7, a private brand for toiletries and cleaning products. The report described two planned stores that would bring the chain to 18 locations. One, covering about 1,000 square meters in western Rishon LeZion, would replace Super Bareket. Another, approximately 1,700 square meters in the expanded Azrieli mall in Modi’in, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. Sheva also said the company is building a logistics center in Kiryat Malachi for dry groceries and private-label products, at a cost of tens of millions of shekels. He described increasing sales to wholesale customers as another objective, alongside direct purchasing for Shuk Ha’ir.