The World Cup was often presented as the salvation of a public trade hit hard by cheap supermarket alcohol, although in reality a long, hot summer would help as much. In any case it depends on what segment of the pub trade you are in.
The World Cup was often presented as the salvation of a public trade hit hard by cheap supermarket alcohol, although in reality a long, hot summer would help as much. In any case it depends on what segment of the pub trade you are in.
Mitchells & Butlers which trades through chains such as Toby Carvery and All Bar One has a focus on food in its 2,000 pubs. Indeed, it is in the process of selling 300 of its bottom-end drink-led pubs. The World Cup led to slower like-for-like growth as supporters opted to watch the matches at home or in drink-oriented pubs. When an England football match kicks off mid-evening on a Friday or on Sunday lunchtime which are normally peak dining occasions trade is reduced.
Sales of World Cup-themed sportswear gave a late bost to full-year sales at Sports Direct. It had its best trading day ever on June 12, the day of the England-US game. However, the chain had budgeted for England reaching the quarter finals and was left with an overhang of inventory after the national team’s early exit. It thinks it will have enough time to get rid of the surplus stock without too much discounting as the England away shirt introduced in Match is likely to be current for two years while the white England shirt still has a year to run before it is replaced.