Our unofficial guide to World Cup retail
The combination of 'soccer and sunshine' is spelling bad news for the high street, according to the latest figures from FootFall. Last week, shopper numbers dropped 8 per cent across the country, compared with the previous week. The number of people visiting department stores plummeted 25 per cent. Ahead of the Trinidad match on Thursday, Footfall spokeswoman Natasha Burton said: 'It's likely the evening rush hour could begin as early as 3pm, retailers will have to capitalise on early bird shoppers, drawing them in earlier in the day.'

Two leading British menswear companies have expressed their disgust that Italian design company Armani is the official suit supplier to the England football team. Austin Reed chief executive Nick Hollingsworth said: 'Can you imagine the Italian team wearing a British designer, it's unthinkable.' Ted Baker chief executive Ray Kelvin added: 'It's unpatriotic, very disloyal.'

However, Ted Baker cannot really complain - it is providing suits for the Australian soccer team, which won its first match against Japan 3-1 on Monday.

Sales of sauerkraut are reported to have gone through the roof as England fans hold German-themed parties to celebrate the World Cup. Last week, supermarket chain Waitrose revealed sauerkraut sales jumped more than 30 per cent.

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