RIO DE JANEIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian citizens are expected to spend over 20.3 billion reals (5.47 billion U.S. dollars) in products and services related to the FIFA World Cup, according to a survey published on Wednesday.
According to the survey carried out by the local Credit Protection Service and by the Shop Owners' Association, some 60 million Brazilians are expected to spend their money on World Cup-related merchandise and services. Of the people interviewed in the survey, only 25 percent said they do not intend to acquire World Cup merchandise or services.
A total of 1,061 adult consumers from all Brazilian state capitals were surveyed. Out of the people who said they would make purchases related to the World Cup, 91 percent said they would buy food and drinks to watch the games. In Brazil, it is common to see families and groups of friends gathering to watch the matches together, making barbecues and special meals.
62 percent said they would go to bars and restaurants to watch the matches, while 61 said they would buy ornaments. 54 percent would buy home decoration items and 21 percent would buy pay-TV World Cup packages.
Though the World Cup and especially the Brazilian squad's popularity is low in the country following a disastrous campaign in 2014, the habit of reducing work hours on matchdays persists in Brazil.
Several private companies will adjust working hours on matchdays including letting employees go home earlier or start work later. The federal government and several local administrations established half-days on the days Brazil is scheduled to play.
