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Asda has launched Operation ‘It’s Coming Home’ from its Southgate store in London, in time for England’s quarter-final against Sweden tomorrow (Saturday July 7).
Following England’s first ever World Cup penalty shootout win on Tuesday (July 3), Operation ‘It’s Coming Home’ means Asda staff at all stores who want time off for the most anticipated match in years can work with their local store to make a substitution, with a shift swap where possible. The plan also includes showing the 3pm Saturday kick off in the staff rooms at all stores and allowing those on shift to wear their World Cup shirts.
The supermarket chain predicts 8.5 million sausages, 500,000 Swedish meatballs and more than 1 million kg of barbecue charcoal will be sold as Brits prepare for the match.
During the World Cup period, Asda expects to sell over 3 million litres of beer in total. Tomorrow alone, the retailer forecasts beer sales of more than 750,000 large and mid-packs of beer and cider and 4.6 million cans and bottles of beer. The retailer has already sold over 20,000 sets of George bunting and over 3,000 bandanas and whistles. England novelty hats, face paint and foam fingers are also flying off the shelves.
An Asda spokesperson said: “Operation ‘It’s Coming Home’ has been brewing for a while, and following Tuesday night’s heroics, it’s now in full swing. Colleagues that want a substitute on their shifts are able to organise this with their stores where it’s possible, and extra bangers, booze and even Swedish meatballs are being delivered to stores in anticipation of a sales surge. We’re prepared, the England boys are prepared… hopefully our customers are prepared: ‘it’s coming home’!”
