Convenience retailers should be prepping up for another weekend trading boost as England's World Cup quarter-final and soaring temperatures are expected to drive record demand for beer, barbecue food and home deliveries.
Co-op has extended its online delivery hours across around 130 stores until 1am on Saturday as it gears up for what it expects to be its biggest day for beer, lager and cider sales this year.
The convenience retailer forecasts sales of beer, lager and cider to be almost 50 per cent higher than the previous weekend and 20 per cent above its busiest trading day of 2026 so far, when England faced Panama on 27 June.
The retailer's research found that 69 per cent of England supporters are expected to watch Saturday's quarter-final at home, creating a major sales opportunity for neighbourhood convenience stores as shoppers stock up on match-day essentials.
Barbecue products are also set to enjoy a significant uplift, with Co-op predicting British burger sales to rise by 133 per cent and British kebab sales to soar by 320 per cent on Saturday. Sales of British sausages are expected to increase by 35 per cent week on week.
Kate McCrae, Co-op's operations director, said: "As a convenience retailer, the summer is our busiest time, and with England's big game on Saturday along with soaring temperatures, we've stocked our shelves and are ready for what we expect to be our biggest day for beer, lager and cider sales."
To meet the expected spike in demand, Co-op will keep its online delivery service running until 1am through its own website as well as delivery partners Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
The move follows a similar extension of delivery hours earlier in the World Cup, reflecting the strong demand generated by England's matches.
For independent convenience retailers, the combination of football fever, warm weather and at-home viewing is expected to provide another valuable opportunity to drive sales across beers, ciders, soft drinks, snacks and barbecue categories.