Tesco has announced that its Express stores across England will close early if England reach the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19. The stores will shut at 7.30pm instead of their usual 10pm or 11pm closing time, allowing thousands of colleagues to get home or to the pub in time for the 8pm kick-off. Employees will still receive their normal pay for the hours they were scheduled to work.
Daytime Operations and Larger Stores
Express stores will remain open as normal during the daytime, so fans can stock up on pre-match supplies. Larger Tesco stores in England will already be closed by kick-off, as they typically close earlier on Sundays. The supermarket giant confirmed that all online Grocery Home Shopping orders already placed for Sunday evening will be honoured and delivered as normal. Customers in need of last-minute essentials can also place orders with Tesco's Whoosh service until 11pm.
Statement from Tesco's Managing Director
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 Scenarios and Regional Differences
If England does not reach the final, all stores will follow their standard opening hours. Stores in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will continue to operate according to their normal schedules regardless of the match outcome.
World Cup Semi-Final Details
England will face Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday, July 15, at the Atlanta Stadium, with kick-off at 8pm. The match is the first meeting between the two teams in 21 years. France vs Spain is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium, also at 8pm, meaning England will know their potential final opponent before their semi-final. The World Cup final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will be broadcast on BBC One and ITV1.
