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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Rob Davies

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

Fans gather to watch England’s World Cup match against Panama at a pub in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, last month.
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

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.

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