World Cup marketing fever

By Eve Oxberry

Plenty of women love beauty and football in equal measure and will be in the pub, pint in well-manicured hand, cheering on England this summer.

But there’s no denying that for many more, the impending World Cup spells weeks of boredom and the loss of their significant other to the beautiful game.

Some savvy spas and salons are cashing in on all this female free time with the launch of World Cup Widow packages.

Imagine Spa Thames Valley is running a World Cup Widows Spa Day for Two to encourage women to come and bring a friend. The £35-per-pair package includes four hours’ use of the spa facilities with a half-time glass of orange juice and the option to add a 30-minute treatment for £27 per person.

At 43 Face salon in Notting Hill, London, the World Cup Widows scheme is aimed at groups of women and involves pamper parties. If women book in a group of five during the tournament, they get each get their treatment for £50.

Meanwhile Champneys is marketing a one-night World Cup Spa Escape, with the tagline “The right kind of extra time”. The package includes a Champneys Relaxing Facial, thalassotherapy pool session, lunch, dinner and breakfast from £149.

Champneys also has a World Cup Spa Evening from £49. “Forget losing control of the remote and lose yourself in indulgence with our specially extended spa evening,” says the marketing. “Kick away those football blues with a thalassotherapy pool treatment and three-course evening meal. Plus, score a free Bubble Heaven gift to take home and enjoy added time just for you.”

If all this World Cup talk has put you in a carnival mood, check out our #PBCarnivalFever competition and show us your skills.