Scotland's shops are set to score from this summer's spectacle of
major sporting events. Fresh research shows Scots are planning to
spend more on food and drink whilst watching and cheering on our
athletes at the football World Cup, Glasgow's Commonwealth Games,
and European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Grocery and food-to-go stores and takeaways are likely to see a
lift, as well as electrical and sporting goods retailers
alongside those who sell merchandise and souvenirs.
The results are from a new poll of Scottish shoppers undertaken
by Scottish Retail Consortium and Opinium. It comes ahead of
Scotland's opening match of the men's World Cup Finals in Boston
on 13 June after the national team qualified for the first time
in almost 30 years. The Commonwealth Games get underway in July
with the European Athletics Championships being held in August.
The polling found:
- 11% of Scots plan to spend more on groceries, alcohol, and
takeaways to enjoy whilst watching the World Cup and Commonwealth
Games
- 7% plan to host or attend gatherings with family and friends
to watch matches
- 2% plan to purchase official merchandise
Over and above this, 6% of respondents said they hoped to attend
the events in person. However, these major sporting events only
speak to a little over half of the country, with 45% of Scots
saying they weren't planning any activities in relation to the
three events.
It comes after the latest trading monitor from the Scottish
Retail Consortium and KPMG found retail sales in Scotland had
barely grown over the last twelve months, with monthly retail
sales growing by an average 0.4 per cent over the past year.
Commenting on the new research David Lonsdale, Director of the
Scottish Retail Consortium, said:
“Sports fans in Scotland are looking forward to a sparking
spectacle of major sporting events this summer and the country's
retailers are hoping this kicks-off a brighter period of trading.
This could provide a much needed boon to retailers selling food
and drink, sportswear, electricals, merchandise and souvenirs;
especially if the likes of footballer Scott McTominay, swimmer
Duncan Scott, and runner Laura Muir and their Scotland teammates
give fans something to celebrate.”
-ENDS-
Note: Fieldwork for the Scottish Retail Consortium-Opinium
Consumer Sentiment Monitor was undertaken from 5 to 8 May 2026.
