One of the world’s leading retailers is forecasting a run on products in its international stores should those countries make the World Cup play-offs.

Wal-Mart operates in eight of the 32 nations that have made it to the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, and is bracing itself for a boom if the national football team is successful.

Rick Bendel, the international chief marketing officer for Wal-Mart, said that revenue at outlets which had been in operation for a minimum of 12 months before the finals could anticipate a growth of between two and four per cent – with an additional one to two per cent expected if the national team makes the semi-finals.

Bendel said the tournament was a huge television event, and products associated with television such as TV sets, couches, food, drinks and memorabilia would all expect to sell heavily over the tournament. Bendel also suggested that in the UK Asda, which operates under the parentage of Wal-Mart, could benefit from extra revenue in the hundreds of millions of pounds.

FIFA have signed an exclusive agreement for World Cup merchandise with Wal-Mart through a subsidiary, leaving the retailer in the prime position of being able to capitalise on sales of items such as official footballs, beer mugs and plates.

Wal-Mart has stores in 14 countries outside of its US home, with Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Mexico all featuring at the World Cup, while the English team is sponsored by rival supermarket giant Tesco.