Outlets in England gear up for bonanza before Euro and Wimbledon finals

On guard against trouble: Police officers stand in front of a pub packed with England fans. — AP

LONDON: English pubs, supermarkets and restaurants are set for a weekend bonanza as fans prepare to tune in to watch England play Spain in the final of Euro 2024 in Germany and, before that, the Wimbledon tennis men’s singles final in London.

The events will provide a much-needed fillip to the hospitality and retail sector after wet weather meant a subdued start to summer trading.

Items from beer, wine and snacks, barbecue food and pizzas to large screen TVs and England shirts, are being snapped up ahead of the major sporting weekend, supermarkets Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda said, while data from Adobe showed the same thing.

Sainsbury’s, Britain’s No. 2 grocer, forecast weekend beer sales would increase 200% year-on-year, with sales of sparkling wine and ready-to-drink cocktail cans both up 30%.

Britain’s third-biggest supermarket Asda has sold over 20,000 large screen ultra-high-definition TVs during Euro 2024, with more sales expected before England face Spain in their first final on foreign soil tomorrow.

A spokesperson for JD Sports said its England merchandise sales jumped over six-fold for the semi-final, having already risen by almost three times around last Saturday’s quarter final victory on penalties against Switzerland.

Data from Adobe forecast England fans’ spending on team merchandise will have spiked by as much as 1,500% above normal levels the day after the semi-final.

British pubs and bars are set for a £120mil sales boost from the final, trade body UKHospitality said.

Britain’s biggest supermarket group Tesco said it would shut its more than 1,800 Express stores across England early tomorrow to allow its staff to get home or to the pub in time for the kick-off.

“Based on our learnings from England reaching the final last time round (in 2021), and also from increasing demand through this tournament, we have a well-rehearsed supply plan in place to make sure all our stores are stocked for the extra demand,” Jason Binks, store ordering manager at Tesco, said.

The Wimbledon women’s final will take place this afternoon and the men’s final will start at 1300 GMT on Sunday (8pm, Malaysian time).

Surveys published on Tuesday showed British consumer spending contracted in June, with wet weather hitting sales of key seasonal items.

However, the consumer outlook is improving, with lower UK inflation, rising real living standards and the promise of a period of political stability with a new Labour government.

Young & Co Brewery said its pubs were “nearly” fully booked but it still had the option for walk-ins and London-based Fullers had seen a jump in advance bookings.

A Domino’s Pizza Group spokesperson said the group was stocking up on its cheese and tomato and pepperoni pizzas and will be offering a 50% discount on web and app orders at the weekend.

Not all retailers will be happy though. Away from the supermarkets spending could be compressed as people stay at home ahead of the match instead of visiting the high street, shopping centres and retail parks. — Reuters