Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Almost all are expecting increased sales of alcohol and snacks, but good weather could bring barbecue business as well.
Special deals on beer and snacks and combinations of the two are being offered in hundreds of stores.
At the Wych Lane Premier in Gosport, Hampshire, Imtiyaz Mamode and his wife Supriya Nandeo are making sure the shelves are fully stocked for the rush.
Nandeo said: “We find that on the day of matches it gets busy from really early in the day.
“People are shopping first thing to get what they need and we do all we can to support that.”
The store stays open until 11pm so that anybody who wants to can get extra supplies at half-time, during or after the game.
The Premier is also well stocked with barbecue kits and barbecue food.
Nandeo said: “We do expect to see more sales this weekend as a result and we are supporting the community and supporting England!”
Miv Chahal’s Nisa Local in Prudhoe, Northumberland, is also extending its opening hours on to cope with the extra business: it usually closes at 2pm on a Sunday but is staying open until 5pm.
Like many, Chahal expects the main sales boost to be in drinks and snacks, but if the weather is good will be preparing for barbecue sales as well.
The community thread runs through many other convenience stores.
Amrit Singh’s Nisa in Walsall is making the sure there is no shortage of flags by handing them out free to schools, care homes and community centres.
Alongside offering deals for customers, some convenience stores are not neglecting their staff and have made the decision not to extend hours but actually to shorten them, so that staff can watch the match.
The London Road Bakery in Boston, Lincolnshire, is closing early on Sunday so its staff have the opportunity to watch the final – “just in case it’s 55 years before they get the chance again”, said a tweet from the store.
It’s a similar story at Kenilworth Budgens in Warwickshire, which is shutting its doors at 19.45pm for the same reason.
