Rooney’s fracture could make or break Summer sales

WAYNE Rooney’s broken meta- tarsal might be crucial to England’s chances in the World Cup – but it could also make or break this summer’s sales figures.

With both Thomson and First Choice shops anticipating a quiet June and preparing to allow agency staff to enjoy England games at work, the trade is grappling with divided loyalties over the fitness of England’s superstar striker and the success of the team.

A scan on Wednesday will determine whether the Manchester United wonderkid will be able to travel to Germany with Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad ahead of England’s first game at 2pm on Saturday June 10, and possibly how long England remain in the competition.

“I’d like to see Rooney on the pitch but it would be better for business if he wasn’t,” said Hays Travel retail general manager Jane Schumm.

Save ‘n’ Sail Cruise Village managing director Philip Nuttall said: “Business was very quiet during the last World Cup, but it went mad as soon as England were knocked out.”

Advantage director John McEwan said England’s performance will affect sales. “I’m expecting business to slow down with the World Cup starting next week. From a business perspective, we will see an upturn in booking when England go out of the tournament,” he said.

However, David Robinson, group director ground product and marketing at Gold Medal, said England’s glory should be put first.

“We want to see our national team do well,” he said despite blaming a slowing down of growth in sales for June on the World Cup.

Thomson retail and commercial director Derek Jones said passenger numbers were ahead of expectations for June although he would not reveal figures. He said Thomson was expecting the month to be quiet.

Firms including Gold Medal, Mundi Color, Travel 2/4 and Thomson are offering staff special incentives to make bookings during the tournament in the hope of driving sales. However, Thomson agents will be able to get behind the squad on England match days when they will be allowed to come to work wearing the team’s strip, paint their faces and bring in radios to allow them to follow the game.

First Choice Holiday Hypermarkets will screen England games live on in-store plasma screens and agents will also be allowed to listen to the radio to follow the matches.

Thomas Cook said it has still to decide its policy for staff during games but Gold Medal call-centre staff will be allowed to organise their shifts around England matches. Those at work will be allowed to watch the games in the canteen.

Robinson said: “When the games are on it is not going to be busy so you might as well let staff enjoy it with the rest of the country.”