World Cup and sunshine prompt UK consumers to splash out on beer and online shopping

England’s group stage win over Panama was the busiest day of 2026 so far for pubs, with takings five times higher than the daily average for the year. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AFP/Getty View image in fullscreen England’s group stage win over Panama was the busiest day of 2026 so far for pubs, with takings five times higher than the daily average for the year. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AFP/Getty World Cup and sunshine prompt UK consumers to splash out on beer and online shopping Despite spending increase in June, Barclays says most people still pessimistic about economy Relentless sunshine and the World Cup coaxed consumers to spend more on beer and online shopping last month, with purse strings expected to remain loose as England fans gear up for Wednesday’s semi-final. Most people remain pessimistic about the UK economy, according to data from Barclays Bank based on debit and credit card transactions. However, the start of the summer’s football helped consumers put their worries to one side and indulge in pints of beer, paddling pools and handheld electric fans, with almost half of the latter expected to end up in landfill . Struggling pub landlords given a lifeline by England’s World Cup heroes Read more Spending increased by 1.9% year on year in June, still below the 3% rate of consumer inflation but a marked pickup from the more lacklustre 0.8% recorded in May. Pubs have experienced the biggest boost, thanks in part to football fans taking advantage of extended opening hours, Barclays’ consumer spending report found. England’s group stage victory over Panama emerged as the busiest day of 2026 so far, with takings five times higher than the daily average for the year. On a year-on-year basis, England’s draw with Ghana resulted in the biggest uplift, as card users in pubs spent 244% more than they did on the same day in 2025, possibly because of a relative lack of action that gave fans time to go to the bar. The round of 16 victory over Mexico registered a 201.5% increase, measured over Sunday and Monday to reflect the game kicking off in the small hours. The data does not capture England’s quarter-final win over Norway but figures released by Dojo, a card payments company, showed a 23% increase in takings compared with the previous Saturday. The on-pitch action inspired the greatest thirst in Southampton, where full-day sales almost doubled compared with the week before. In Newcastle upon Tyne, pub sales were only 11% higher than a normal Saturday. Before the game, estimates suggested England’s progress to the quarter-final could be worth £385m to the economy and £500m when factoring in all four games in that round. On Monday, with about 48 hours until the semi-final against Argentina kicks off, the British Beer and Pub Association predicted the game would lead to an extra 6m pints poured, a bigger increase than on New Year’s Eve. The Night Time Industries Association, which also includes other types of venue such as bars and nightclubs, has