Sports events might overtake bank holidays for booze
Weekly sales of beer from British supermarkets have doubled in the run-up to Euro 2004, research suggests.
Market specialists TNS said shoppers bought 23 million litres in one week in May - and this went up to 46 million litres before Euro 2004.
All supermarkets have seen a boost in sales of beer and lager in the run up to Euro 2004 - with arch-rivals Tesco and Asda described as top sellers.
The rise in beer demand is likely to be mirrored by a hike in snack sales.
Drinking four cans of lager while watching a match means taking in 675 calories.
Dieticians suggest that while short-term indulgence in front of the football is unlikely to harm the body, spending half an hour kicking one around is an excellent way to restore the balance.
Stella sales
Karl Jenkins, client services director of TNS, said sporting events such as Euro 2004 provide prime opportunities for retailers to maximise alcohol sales.
"The uplift in purchases of beer and lager is also likely to be accompanied by significant increases in sales of snack and convenience foods," he added.
The increase in beer sales was greater that that seen over the May bank holiday by some 26%, TNS figures showed.
The shift suggests large sporting events might be overtaking bank holidays as a driver of beer sales, which is a historic trend.
TNS predicts England's progress through Euro 2004 would see the increase in sales of beer and lager maintained until the championship finishes.
Top-performing brands over this tournament have been Carlsberg, Carlsberg Export, Budweiser, Stella and Grolsch.