Convenience store sales across the country are being kicked into double digit growth thanks to the Fifa World Cup and warm summer weather.

Sales at Simon Biddle’s Spar store in Redditch, Worcestershire, were up almost £900 yesterday (Sunday) when England beat Panama six-one.

“Every England game we’ve been up by up to £1,000, which equates to about 25% of sales.

“The evening games actually benefit us better as people have all day to shop with us, so that bodes well for Thursday’s game against Belgium, especially with the hot weather.

“Alcohol, salads and BBQ products have been the big sellers, the shelves took a right battering! Multi-pack beers and ciders and Prosecco sold really well, and wines were up about 20%,” he said.

In Stroud, Gloucestershire, Eastcombe Village Stores racked up a sales rise of 10% over the weekend, owner Mike Dorey said.

“We are in a small rural village setting and sales were 10% on a normal weekend thanks to a combination of the warm weather and the football.

“I think if you can’t trade well in these conditions you probably never will. If the good weather continues for a couple more weeks I think that will really make our summer.”

Social media is also playing a starring role. Staff at Malcom’s Stores in Coventry were rushed off their feet last weekend thanks to a Facebook post offering customers a free Coca Cola World Cup football for purchasing three 1.5l bottles.

In Leamington Spa, One Stop retailer Sunder Sandher is also enjoying winning sales, with beers, snacks, bread and ice leading the charge.

He’s invested heavily in social media advertising including a popular special offer of free pizza for the first 100 people who retweeted his post after England scored their first goal in Sunday’s match.

“Social media has also been a great resource to shout about our deals and I’ve gone all out with the displays this year,” he said.

“The atmosphere we’ve had in store, with England winning, has been amazing. We’ve had a crowd of about 30 kids chanting outside the shop and people tooting their horns in the street. It helps that we’ve got big flags outside the shop and have been running competitions to go with the games.

“Customers are happy to spend during the World Cup and it’s actually difficult to keep up with demand at times.”