Firms need to be more prepared than ever to handle the increased traffic from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with a quarter of all Brits planning to watch the tournament on the web, according to new research.
The study, from by Peer 1 Hosting, found that 93% said that they will place bets, shop or chat online about the World Cup.
The survey, based on the opinions of more than 2,000 UK consumers, highlighted the scale of the impact that the web will have on the World Cup.
The tournament promises opportunities as well as challenges however, with research suggesting that nearly a third of consumers will spend between £100 and £300 on food, drink and entertainment systems during the competition.
Head of Waitrose Cellar and Direct Services, Rob McCarthy said, “We’ve been getting ready for the rise in customer demand expected during the World Cup, not only in terms of supplying new Brazilian wines and having plenty of stock but also by making sure that technically Waitrose Cellar is well set up to give our customers an excellent online experience.”
With an estimated 13 million people expected to shift from traditional media to watch the competition online, businesses need to ensure that they have the infrastructure to capitalise on the increased traffic.
Head of retail at Peer 1 Hosting, Roland Breadner said: “The increase in people watching, communicating, sharing and consuming online during this year’s World Cup means businesses need to be prepared more than ever. In a world where every interaction matters online, customers will turn to your competitors if your site is slow or unreliable.”