Tesco has announced that its Express stores will close early at 7:30pm on Sunday, July 19, if England reach the World Cup final, enabling thousands of colleagues to get home or to the pub in time for the 8pm kick-off. The outlets typically stay open until 10pm or 11pm, but staff will still receive full pay for the shortened shift.
Details of the Early Closure
The retail giant stated that Express outlets will operate normally during the day, allowing supporters to purchase pre-match essentials. Tesco's larger supermarkets in England will already be closed by the time the match begins, as they operate under Sunday trading hours.
Kevin Tindall, managing director of UK operations at Tesco, said: "We appreciate just how much this would mean to so many of our colleagues. So if England makes it through to the final, we will close our Express stores across England in time for all colleagues to be able to celebrate with their family and friends. We will reopen as normal the following day."
Alternative Shopping Options
Shoppers needing last-minute items can still place orders via Tesco's Whoosh service until 11pm. All online Grocery Home Shopping orders already placed for Sunday evening will be honoured and delivered as normal. If England fails to reach the final, all stores will follow their standard opening times.
Regional and Match Details
Branches in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will continue to operate according to their normal schedules. The World Cup final kicks off at 8pm at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with coverage on BBC One and ITV1. England faces Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, also at 8pm. France plays Spain on Tuesday at Dallas Stadium, determining England's potential final opponent.
