Supermarket chain Tesco has announced plans to shut down more than 2,000 of its stores in the event that England reaches the World Cup final on Sunday. If Harry Kane’s team defeats Lionel Messi and Argentina, Tesco will close its Express stores across England at 7.30pm, allowing staff to head home or to watch the match at a pub. Normally, these smaller stores close later, around 10pm or 11pm.
Employees will still receive their regular pay for the hours they would have worked. Since the game falls on a Sunday, Tesco’s larger stores in England will already be closed by the 8pm kick-off time. All stores will resume normal operations the next day.
On Sunday, Tesco Express stores will operate during the day, anticipating a surge in business if England progresses further in the tournament. Customers can use the Whoosh service for last-minute orders until 11pm. Existing online grocery orders for Sunday evening will be delivered as scheduled. Stores in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will maintain their usual hours.
Kevin Tindall, Tesco’s UK Operations managing director, expressed support for the decision, acknowledging the significance of the event for many employees. However, Tesco will not adjust store hours for England’s match against Argentina. In contrast, Currys, an electronics retailer, will close its stores an hour early to allow staff to watch the game.
Matthew Speight, Currys’ director of stores, mentioned the plan to close early for the highly anticipated game. Fans can still visit the stores until 7pm to purchase items before kick-off. It is estimated that over 26 million fans will tune in for England’s semi-final match against Argentina, with millions expected to gather in various venues to watch the game.
VoucherCodes predicts a record number of fans watching in hospitality venues, with a significant increase in drink and food sales expected. The British Beer and Pub Association estimates that pubs alone could serve an additional six million pints during the match. The game is also anticipated to attract a large home-viewing audience, contributing to a substantial spending spree estimated at £357 million across supermarkets and other shops. The majority of this expenditure is projected to be on food and drink, sportswear, and electrical items.