UK retailer Iceland has announced a total shut down of services on Sunday if England makes it to the World Cup Final.
The retailer will potentially close all of its 900-plus supermarkets as well as its Food Warehouse stores by 2 pm on Sunday 15 July. If it goes ahead, staff will be paid in full for their scheduled hours on that day.
It's Coming Home?
“We have huge confidence in the ability of the England team to reach and win the World Cup final – but we did not want to tempt fate, so we were planning to make this announcement on Wednesday once the semi-final result was known.
“However, the Germans have already got their towels on the sun-loungers, with yesterday’s announcements from two of our rivals, so it seems right to let our colleagues and customers know our plans now.
“We also feel that it is right to extend early closing to all our UK stores so that our colleagues in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can enjoy the match, too.
“We all have our fingers crossed for an England win, and to football coming home at the weekend.”
Discounters Aldi and Lidl are also shutting up shop early if the Three Lions progress, with stores closing by 3pm so staff can make it home to watch the game.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O'Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
