Supermarket chain Tesco has announced plans to shutter over 2,000 of its stores in the event that England reaches the World Cup final on Sunday. In a show of support for the national team led by Harry Kane, Tesco will close its Express stores across England at 7:30 pm, allowing employees extra time to watch the game. While staff will still receive their regular pay, larger stores will resume operations the following day after the match.
Despite the closure of Express stores, Tesco’s online Whoosh service will remain available for last-minute orders until 11 pm on Sunday. Orders already placed for Sunday evening will be delivered as scheduled. Stores in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will maintain their usual operating hours.
Kevin Tindall, Tesco’s UK Operations director, emphasized the significance of the occasion for staff and their families. Conversely, Currys, an electronics retailer, will close its stores an hour earlier on match day to allow employees to enjoy the game. The high-stakes semi-final is expected to draw a massive audience, with millions of fans projected to gather in various venues to watch the game.
VoucherCodes estimates that millions of fans will flock to pubs and bars, boosting hospitality sales significantly. The British Beer and Pub Association predicts a surge in pint sales during the match. Additionally, a substantial increase in spending is anticipated, with supermarkets and other retailers set to benefit from the influx of customers seeking various goods.
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