When a Merrick, N.Y., woman wanted to send a stroller to her grandson, recently born in Israel, she turned to the first and only English-speaking Israeli mall on the Internet: IsraelMall.net.
“English is the lingua franca, the language of international commerce,” said IsraelMall.net founder and CEO Avi Milgraum. “Many English speakers have family and friends living in Israel. Our Israel-based Internet mall is not as intimidating as those written in Hebrew. Plus, we offer good old American-style customer service in English.”
The Web site features a broad selection of items such as furniture, electrical appliances, baby accessories, art, jewelry, baked goods and religious gifts.
The company’s slogan is “Shop anywhere, ship to Israel.” This works out well for the shopper: As products are shipped from inside Israel, shipping rates are lower and purchases are not subject to Israel’s high import tariffs.
IsraelMall.net can also help new immigrants to Israel. Immigrants and their families can order items to be delivered to their door in Israel the day they arrive.
“A woman from Australia ordered a birthday cake for her daughter studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem,” said Ilana Milgraum, director of marketing for IsraelMall.net. “The chocolate mocha cake arrived at the student’s dorm room with candles blazing.
“This Australian family, separated by thousands of miles, could have their cake and eat it, too,” she quipped.