World Cup gives Bailiwick businesses a sales boost

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Sales are climbing as the mercury rises and England continues to storm through the football World Cup, businesses reported.

With Gareth Southgate’s team due to play England’s first semi-final in 28 years later tonight, shops said people have been stocking up. And with the spell of warm weather showing no signs of abating, sales are booming.

As the mercury climbed people headed to the shops to stock up.

Alliance MD Andrew Bagot said there had been a "significant" increase in sales as England continued its staggering advance through the tournament.

“Yes it has been fantastic, we are very pleased," he said. "We have sold lots more beer, BBQ food, soft drinks and ice cream. We have been selling significantly more as they have gone through the tournament, and we certainly ordered more in for last Saturday’s match. I think if they get through to the final, we will look to close at 3pm so that people can get home to watch the match.”

Aladdin’s Cave manager Sean Le Moigne said the although the store did not sell items which would give it a World Cup related sales surge, the high temperatures were more than enough to get the tills ringing.

“When it gets warm people go after the usual things – swimming pools, paddling pools, garden furniture. We have sold out of a few things, but we are ordering in extra.”

Among the businesses reaping the benefits of the World Cup screenings are the Peninsula Hotel which is expecting large crowds when it turns its big screen (pictured above) on again tonight. Extra staff have been brought in and canned drinks will be on sale to ensure football fans and other guests are kept refreshed.

A Waitrose spokesperson said the shoppers were in great spirits.

“There is a definite feel good factor in the Channel Islands which has been helped by the sunshine and football.  Beer and cider sales have risen by up to 25% across our five shops in the past month and sales of foods that are perfect for sharing, like pizza and handcooked crisps, have soared." 

The KGV is also showing the game on different screens outside in the expected sunshine with refreshments available.