Tzomet Sfarim
Tzomet Sfarim is a major Israeli bookstore chain and the country's second-largest national bookstore retailer.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Tzomet Sfarim, whose Hebrew name literally means “book crossing,” is an Israeli bookstore chain serving the national retail market. It is generally described as the second-largest bookstore chain in Israel, behind Steimatzky. The business emerged from the consolidation of two bookstore operations: Yerid Sfarim, established in 1981, and Tzomet Sfarim Ltd., founded in 1996. Yerid Sfarim had expanded to 15 branches by 2002, while the Tzomet Sfarim company had developed 14 branches by the same year. In 2002, the two businesses united under the Tzomet Sfarim brand, with Modan Publishing House participating as a third investor. The unified chain initially operated approximately 40 stores, giving it a substantial national footprint from the outset. Avi Schumer, identified as a co-owner, served as chief executive officer from the company’s foundation and was associated with the chain’s expansion strategy. Tzomet Sfarim grew to approximately 80 stores by 2009. Its later development took place in a highly concentrated Israeli bookstore market in which Tzomet Sfarim and Steimatzky together accounted for a large majority of book retail activity. By September 2017, Tzomet Sfarim had increased its network to 96 stores, while Steimatzky had reduced its network to 140. Contemporary reporting described the two chains as collectively controlling about 80 percent of Israel’s book market. The chain’s growth strategy was not based solely on maximizing the number of outlets. Schumer indicated that Tzomet Sfarim viewed roughly 100 stores as an upper limit and that, after reaching that scale, it would concentrate more on larger stores, coffee-house facilities, and customer experience. This suggests a positioning built around accessible physical retail, broad geographic coverage, and a more experiential bookstore format rather than unlimited branch expansion. The number of operating branches subsequently fluctuated. The chain was reported to have 95 stores in October 2018 and again in April 2020. By November 2021, the reported total had fallen to 91, compared with 130 Steimatzky stores. In January 2022, Tzomet Sfarim was reported to have 89 stores, while Steimatzky had 128. The chain was still reported at 89 stores in July 2025. These figures indicate a mature retail network that remained nationally significant while contracting from its earlier peak. Tzomet Sfarim’s core identity is therefore that of a large Israeli bookseller operating through a nationwide chain of physical stores. Its historical importance comes from the 2002 merger of two established bookstore businesses, its rapid expansion during the 2000s, and its role alongside Steimatzky in shaping Israel’s concentrated bookstore market. Publicly available reference material does not provide sufficiently detailed information about its current ownership structure, financial performance, online operations, exact product assortment, or headquarters, so those fields remain unspecified.
History
Tzomet Sfarim’s history combines the development of two Israeli bookstore businesses. Yerid Sfarim, meaning “book fair,” was established in 1981 and had grown to 15 branches by 2002. A separate company named Tzomet Sfarim Ltd. was founded in 1996 and had reached 14 branches by 2002. Rather than continuing as separate networks, the two businesses joined under the Tzomet Sfarim brand in 2002. Modan Publishing House participated as a third investor in the unified operation. The combined chain initially had approximately 40 stores. Avi Schumer, described as a co-owner, served as chief executive officer from the company’s foundation and was associated with its expansion. During the 2000s, Tzomet Sfarim developed into a large national retailer, reaching approximately 80 stores by 2009. Its growth placed it in direct competition with Steimatzky, the other principal nationwide bookstore chain in Israel. By September 2017, Tzomet Sfarim had 96 stores, while Steimatzky had 140. The two chains were reported to account collectively for approximately 80 percent of Israel’s book market. The company’s stated approach to scale was selective. Schumer indicated that the chain was interested in operating no more than about 100 stores and would prefer, after reaching that level, to invest in larger branches, coffee houses, and customer experience. This approach framed expansion as a means to establish national reach, after which investment would shift toward store quality and the in-store proposition. Tzomet Sfarim’s reported store count later declined. It had 95 stores in October 2018 and April 2020, 91 in November 2021, and 89 in January 2022. The 89-store figure was also reported in July 2025. The decline occurred alongside a reduction in the network of its main competitor, although Steimatzky remained larger by reported branch count. Tzomet Sfarim consequently remained an important Israeli bookstore retailer, but with a smaller network than at its late-2010s peak. The available reference material establishes the chain’s founding sequence, 2002 consolidation, expansion, competitive position, and later store-count changes. It does not establish a current parent company, detailed ownership structure, financial results, corporate headquarters, current leadership beyond the historical identification of Avi Schumer, or a detailed online and product strategy.
- 2025
Chain remains at 89 stores
[1]The chain is reported to have 89 stores in July 2025.
- 2022
Reported network falls to 89 stores
[1]In January, Tzomet Sfarim is reported to operate 89 stores.
- 2021
Reported network falls to 91 stores
[1]The chain is reported to have 91 stores in November, below its earlier reported totals.
- 2017
Network reaches 96 stores
[1]By September, Tzomet Sfarim is reported to operate 96 stores and remains one of the two dominant Israeli bookstore chains.
- 2009
Network reaches approximately 80 stores
[1]The chain’s store network grows to about 80 branches.
- 2002
Two bookstore businesses unite under one brand
[1]Yerid Sfarim and Tzomet Sfarim combine under the Tzomet Sfarim brand, with Modan Publishing House joining as a third investor. The unified chain initially operates about 40 stores.
- 1996
Tzomet Sfarim Ltd. is founded
[1]A separate company bearing the Tzomet Sfarim name is established.
- 1981
Yerid Sfarim is established
[1]The predecessor bookstore business Yerid Sfarim is founded in Israel.
Products and positioning
A nationwide Israeli bookstore chain positioned around broad physical-store coverage, accessible book retail, and, at larger locations, an enhanced customer experience that may include coffee-house facilities.
Book retail
Books
Books are the chain’s defining retail category. Tzomet Sfarim operates physical bookstores across Israel and competes with Steimatzky in the national book market. The available reference material does not provide a sufficiently detailed breakdown by language, genre, publisher, or format.
Specialty retail
Book-related retail merchandise
The chain may be understood as a broader bookstore retail format, but the supplied reference material does not specify a complete assortment beyond its bookstore identity. Specific merchandise categories are therefore not enumerated.
Brand decisions
2017
Preference for a capped network and larger experiential storesStrategyBackground
After expanding to 96 stores, the chain considered the benefits and limits of continued branch growth.
Action taken
According to Avi Schumer, Tzomet Sfarim was interested in reaching approximately 100 stores at most and then emphasizing larger stores, coffee houses, and customer experience.
Aftermath
The strategy indicated a shift from unlimited footprint expansion toward improving selected locations and the in-store experience.
2002
Consolidation of Yerid Sfarim and Tzomet SfarimM&ABackground
Two separately developed Israeli bookstore businesses had built significant branch networks by 2002.
Action taken
The businesses united under the Tzomet Sfarim brand, with Modan Publishing House participating as a third investor.
Aftermath
The combined operation initially had approximately 40 stores and became a major national competitor to Steimatzky.
Sources1 sources
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