Four for two: Friday

England's win last night will be welcome news for many retailers. After topping their group, the team's first second round match will be at 4pm on Sunday 25 June, rather than 4pm on Saturday 24 June as a runner-up, when it's much less likely to significantly affect footfall.

The match against Trinidad had less of an impact on shopper numbers than England's first game of the tournament. Footfall was down just 9.7 per cent compared with the 22.6 per cent drop of last Saturday. Research by data company FootFall found most people headed into work as usual yesterday and used their lunch-hour to stock up on food and drink before heading off early to watch the match.

Many retail pundits said the World Cup was behind the biggest increase in high street sales so far this year. Sales volumes were up 4 per cent in May compared with last year, largely driven by sales of beer, food, flat-screen televisions and football-related clothing and merchandise.

While the World Cup has proved to be a sales booster for many retailers, others, such as department stores and DIY chains, are already planning their summer Sales. John Lewis and Debenhams have begun discounting on many lines and will start full Sales in early July. Fashion chains Moss Bros and Mango already have summer Sales under way and furniture store Habitat is to launch its discounting drive on 28 June.