Football fever will kick off a summer spending splurge by Britons, as they upgrade their TVs and stock up on beers and food for Euro 2024, according to a new survey.
As England and Scotland get ready for their opening games, some six per cent of shoppers say they will likely buy a new TV or other device to keep up with their team, while four per cent plan to buy official merchandise.
The survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) suggests one in 10 expect to host or attend gatherings with family and friends to watch matches.
Some 13 per cent of footie fans are set to fork out more on beer, wine, spirits, food and takeaways.
Younger fans are set to drive up the spending,with 24 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds planning to spend more on groceries, compared with just 4 per cent of those aged 55 and over.
The British Retail Consortium survey predicts a summer spending splurge by Brit footie fans
Separate figures from Adobe show a 14.4 per centincrease in spending on TVs compared with normal levels as armchair fans prepare to tune in at home.
Meanwhile, fan spending on England football shirts and other merchandise rose by 115 per cent last month compared with normal levels.
Scotland are to face hosts Germany Friday and England will play Serbia on Sunday.
BRC director of insight Kris Hamer said: 'British retailers could score a hat-trick, with boosts to groceries, electronics and official merchandise.
'After sluggish spring sales, shoppers are expected to kick off their summer spending at the Euros. Here’s hoping England and Scotland can make it all the way to the final.'
Data shows spendingon England football shirts and related items rose by 115 per cent in May
Fans saw off the England team from St George's Park on Monday ahead of their Euro 24 games
England will play Serbia on Sunday, while Scotland will face the hosts Germany on Friday
Vivek Pandya, lead analyst of digital insights at Adobe, said: 'One particular bright spot in May’s data came as football fans ready themselves for a summer of sport, driving a significant uptick in sales of England football merchandise and TVs as they prepare to support the national team in the Uefa European Championships.
'Retailers will be backing the team to go all the way and ride the wave of optimism that has in the past translated into greater consumer confidence and a big boost in spending that would get the sector back alive and kicking.'
Pubs and restaurants are also hopeful the tournament will give them a much-needed spending boost.
Pubs will be able to extend their opening hours to 1am if England or Scotland make it to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, the government has said.
Venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four – or the final – to give fans a chance to celebrate or commiserate.
The move, which covers venues in England and Wales, comes after a consultation at the end of last year and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry.
England footie fans typically fill out pubs and bars as they watch the Euros on the big screen
Hospitality bosses hope for a much-needed boost in trade from England's Euro 24 campaign
The British Beer and Pub Association expects more than 300million pints to be sold during the first four weeks of the tournament, fetching around £1.4billion for pubs
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: 'The Euros will be a huge event for pubs and hospitality venues across the country.
'Enormous numbers of people will be flocking to watch the home nations at the pub – the perfect place to watch live sport, outside of the stadium itself.
'We know hospitality venues are excited to put on a memorable experience for fans and everything is crossed that the two home nations competing can go far in the tournament, delivering both a welcome boost to pubs and a summer feel-good factor to the nation.'
England's 'most patriotic estate' in Bermondsey's Kirby Estate in south-east London has been covered from top to bottom in England flags ahead of Euro 24
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, whose members own more than 20,000 pubs and brew 90% of Britain’s beer, said: 'We expect nearly 300 million pints to be sold during the four weeks of the tournament, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with a total value of around £1.4 billion.
'The Euros is a busy time for pubs, as fans choose to watch games together in their local pub or bar, while enjoying a drink or two.'
