The Feelgood Factor: Britain's World Cup boost

[T_i_B]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1096449.ece

Elation tinged with relief. A single swing of David Beckham's right boot kept alive England's World Cup hopes and ensured a significant boom for the British economy. Although the team's performance against Ecuador failed to set pulses racing, victory ensured that the country would continue to bask in the feel-good factor inspired by World Cup success.

According to analysts, such as the Centre for Economic and Business Research, at least an extra £100m will be spent in the UK in the six days before the quarter-finals on Saturday, when England will play Portugal. The British Retail Consortium - which predicts a windfall to business of £1.5bn from the four-week finals - is even more confident. Richard Dodd, its spokesman, said: "We believe an extra £124m will be spend on food and drink for every week England stays in the tournament."

The Centre for Economic and Business Research estimates that half of the total spending for the tournament was lavished before the opening match between Germany vs Costa Rica on 9 June, on everything from football merchandise to advertising campaigns. Electronics shops say sales of high definition televisions have trebled. Among the companies which benefit most from a prolonged England participation will be pubs, clubs and bars. During the last World Cup, 8 million Britons spent £50m on alcohol during the first knock-out stage match against Denmark.

Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of the Centre for Economic and Business Research, explained: "People are happy; they will stay in clubs and pubs to celebrate more. If England manage to get through to the finals, spending might increase from that £100m mark."

[DavidDvorkin]

1. That''s remarkable.. However . . .

What about the effects of lost productivity? :)

[T_i_B]

2. Hasn't that productivity been lost down the pub?

:P

[DavidDvorkin]

4. The best place to lose it!

[AngryAmish]

3. Another happy England fan

<http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060624/483/lmd12306242146>

[MrPrax]

5. Probably short-lived...

Even with Portugal's suspensions and yellow cards, England has been sleeping through the tourney and has been lucky to say the least so far.

We'll see if their luck continues--but as the World Cup moves to the final four, flukes and luck won't do it anymore.

[daleo]

6. More money spent on food, drink, and TVs

Equals less money spent on clothes, books, and savings bonds. Or something like that.

I think these things are a wash, especially on the national level.

[President Kerry]

7. i think they take

the least-impressive-team still in the tournament trophy. Except the goals. Every friggin goal they scored has been a thing of beauty.