Australian retailer of sportswear and sporting goods Rebel Sport says the lead-up to the World Cup has produced a marked improvement in sales as fans kit themselves out in  the green and gold strip of the Australian national team, known as the Socceroos.

Rebel posted a 14.5% rise for the first three quarters of the financial year to $272.9 million compared with the same nine-month period a year ago.

Managing director Stephen Heath said sales were being spearheaded by the World Cup, which he expected would kick start Australian soccer fans into purchasing their favourite teams colours.