Golf Group Threatens Mass Store Pullout from Azrieli Malls Amid Lease Dispute
Golf Group threatens to withdraw dozens of stores from Azrieli malls amid a bitter financial dispute over management fees and lease terms, affecting major retail and bookstore chains.
A major commercial dispute between Golf Group and Azrieli Group threatens to remove dozens of prominent retail stores from Azrieli malls across Israel. During a tense meeting, representatives of Golf Group raised the possibility of completely halting operations across all 20 Azrieli shopping centers, which could affect roughly 50 to 60 stores.
The friction stems from ongoing disagreements over financial terms, specifically management fees and leasing conditions. The potential pullout would impact well-known fashion and lifestyle brands operated by Golf, such as Golf, Golf Home, Golf Kids, Intima, Polgat, Kitan, and Sabon, alongside the Steimatzky bookstore chain, which shares common leadership under controlling shareholder Eyal Greenberg.
This escalation follows earlier tensions, including a legal dispute last year over a Polgat store lease at the Ayalon Mall. The friction was further compounded by discussions surrounding Sabon stores, acquired and merged into Golf this year, which face higher rental terms compared to traditional Golf branches.
Despite the commercial standoff, Golf Group recently reported positive financial results for the second quarter of 2026, posting a net profit of 15.6 million shekels compared to 5.6 million shekels in the same period last year. Total sales reached 228.7 million shekels, while Steimatzky holds a 15.5% stake in Golf, cementing a deep structural and managerial tie between the two retail entities.
