England’s world cup qualification is good news not just for football fans but for both the retail and hospitality sectors, according to recruiters.

On Wednesday, the England football team qualified for the World Cup in South Africa next summer with a crushing 5-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley.

Peter Burgess, director at Retail HR, told Recruiter: “England qualifying is a positive thing. Beer sales go up when there is a match on. Sports shops will sell more England shirts.

“People will go out and buy their big screen TVs, especially if England get through to the final. Anything that gives a feel-good factor is a good thing.”

Gary King, director at Collins King & Associates, adds: “We did not qualify for a major tournament two years ago and there was a summer lull. This world cup will have quite a big effect. A lot of events and corporate dos are arranged around it. The London bars with TV screens do well, so do events. The takeaway market will also boom.”