Euro 2024 is in full swing, and football fever is set to sweep across Europe! As we all support our favourite teams, there’s more than just football excitement in the air… Major sporting events like the Euros have a significant impact on the economy, driving increased spending across various sectors. Fans are not only splurging on team kits and match tickets but also on items that enhance their game-watching experience.
According to the Guardian, football fever promises to boost the UK economy by £2.75 billion! As excitement builds, businesses are preparing for increased traffic and transactions, making it crucial to ensure seamless user experiences on websites and apps. Let’s explore how the Euros 2024 is not just a win for football fans but also a golden opportunity for ecommerce, and why ensuring your digital platforms are in top form is essential.
Scoring economic goals: The Euros boost to the UK economy
The Euro 2024 men’s championship is set to kick in a whopping £2.1 billion in revenues for the governing body, fuelled by lucrative broadcast deals, sponsorships, licensing agreements, ticket sales, and hospitality packages. But the excitement doesn’t stop there – the UK economy is also gearing up for a major windfall.
Analysts are predicting a spending spree that will bring nearly £3 billion into the UK economy as football fans gear up for the tournament. From food and beer to shiny new TVs, the cash registers will be ringing non-stop.
With at least 35 million people expected to tune in to watch England and Scotland this Friday, this massive audience presents a golden opportunity for ecommerce…
The ecommerce kick-off
With millions of fans gearing up for the Euros, ecommerce businesses are in for a busy period. Here’s how the tournament typically impacts online shopping:
Increased sales of merchandise and accessories
Fans love to show their support by purchasing team jerseys, scarves, hats, and other merchandise. This surge in demand can lead to a substantial increase in sales for retailers who are prepared.
The countdown to Euro 2024 has begun, and football fever is set to sweep across Europe! As we all gear up to support our favourite teams, there’s more than just football excitement in the air… Major sporting events like the Euros have a significant impact on the economy, driving increased spending across various sectors. Fans are not only splurging on team kits and match tickets but also on items that enhance their game-watching experience.
According to the Guardian, football fever promises to boost the UK economy by £2.75 billion! As excitement builds, businesses are preparing for increased traffic and transactions, making it crucial to ensure seamless user experiences on websites and apps. Let’s explore how the Euros 2024 is not just a win for football fans but also a golden opportunity for ecommerce, and why ensuring your digital platforms are in top form is essential.
Scoring economic goals: The Euros boost to the UK economy
The Euro 2024 men’s championship is set to kick in a whopping £2.1 billion in revenues for the governing body, fuelled by lucrative broadcast deals, sponsorships, licensing agreements, ticket sales, and hospitality packages. But the excitement doesn’t stop there – the UK economy is also gearing up for a major windfall.
Analysts are predicting a spending spree that will bring nearly £3 billion into the UK economy as football fans gear up for the tournament. From food and beer to shiny new TVs, the cash registers will be ringing non-stop. Pubs are particularly excited, anticipating the sale of an extra 20 million pints over the four-week tournament – the first major one since the pandemic without social distancing rules. This beer bonanza translates to a staggering 300 million pints, raking in around £94 million, according to the British Beer & Pub Association. The hospitality sector is set to score big too, with an estimated boost of over £600 million, while retailers are looking at a potential £2 billion in extra sales.
As the summer sun shines down, fans are getting creative with their game-watching setups. The Euros 2024 is not just about huddling around the TV indoors; it’s about outdoor setups and summer barbecues. Picture this: a big screen set up in the garden, comfy seating, a grill sizzling with delicious food, and coolers stocked with ice-cold drinks. This shift to outdoor entertainment is driving sales of projectors, outdoor furniture, barbecue equipment, and party supplies, as fans create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the matches with friends and family.
With at least 35 million people expected to tune in to watch England and Scotland this Friday, this massive audience also presents a golden opportunity for ecommerce…
The ecommerce kick-off
With millions of fans gearing up for the Euros, ecommerce businesses are in for a busy period. Here’s how the tournament typically impacts online shopping:
Increased sales of merchandise and accessories
Fans love to show their support by purchasing team jerseys, scarves, hats, and other merchandise. This surge in demand can lead to a substantial increase in sales for retailers who are prepared.
Home entertainment upgrades and outdoor setups
Many fans prefer watching the games from the comfort of their homes or gardens. This often leads to a spike in sales for home entertainment systems, such as new TVs, sound systems, and streaming devices. Retailers like Currys are expecting a surge in demands as fans upgrade their viewing set ups. What’s more, with the summer weather, fans are also investing in outdoor setups. Picture big screens in the garden, complete with comfortable outdoor furniture, barbecues, and even outdoor speakers to enhance the viewing experience. B&Q’s ecommerce store, diy.com, is likely to see an increase in sales of garden furniture, BBQ equipment, and outdoor supplies, as fans rush to create the ultimate outdoor viewing experience for their friends and family.
Food & beverage sales
Whether it’s stocking up on snacks for home viewing or ordering takeout during the game, food and beverage sales see a significant boost. Online grocery delivery services like Tesco, Sainsburys & Ocado as well as food delivery apps like Deliveroo, Just Eat and Pepe’s are particularly poised to benefit.
Travel & hospitality
Fans traveling to Germany or within the UK to watch games with friends and family also contribute to increased spending on travel and hospitality services, including flights, hotels, and transportation. Brands such as British Airways, Premier Inn, and Uber are likely set to benefit from this surge as fans make plans to join the excitement live or gather together for watch parties.
Ensuring a winning User Experience
With the expected surge in online traffic and transactions, it’s vital for businesses to ensure their websites and apps are fully functional and user-friendly. Here’s why:
- Seamless transactions: Fans don’t want to miss a minute of the action. Slow load times, payment failures, or navigation issues can lead to abandoned carts and lost sales. Ensuring your ecommerce platform can handle increased traffic is crucial.
- Cross-device compatibility: Fans will be shopping from a variety of devices – desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Ensuring your website is responsive and functions well across all devices is essential for capturing every possible sale.
- Accessibility: Making your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, not only broadens your customer base but also demonstrates social responsibility and inclusivity.
- Post-purchase support: Efficient customer service and support are key to maintaining customer satisfaction, especially during high-stress, high-volume periods like the Euros. Ensure your support teams are prepared to handle increased queries and issues.
Matchday app experiences
Bringing the real and digital worlds together is a fantastic way to boost fan engagement during Euro 2024. Providing a matchday app with live line-ups, text updates, audio commentary, and match stats keeps fans in the loop and excited throughout the game. Post-match, highlights and Tunnel Cam footage ensure the excitement continues beyond the final whistle.
The England FA’s Matchday app is a prime example, offering a wealth of information and interactive features to keep fans connected and entertained. By enhancing the matchday experience, businesses can capitalise on the football frenzy, driving traffic and sales.
Euro 2024 is more than just a football tournament; it’s a catalyst for economic activity, especially in the ecommerce sector. By preparing your digital platforms to handle increased traffic and ensuring a seamless, enjoyable user experience, your business can score big during this period. So, gear up and get ready to make the most of this exciting opportunity – because when it comes to ecommerce during the Euros, it’s game on!
