It’s that time of year again. Christmas ads have started appearing on TV with retail front and centre with a slew of blockbuster campaigns.
While some of the ads tug on viewers’ heartstrings with tales of lost mittens and cuddly toys, others take on a playful tone with singing oven gloves and dancing dolls.
This year there is also an array of big name celebrities making appearances, from Michael Bublé to Ryan Reynolds.
Retail Gazette looks at all of retail’s Christmas ads below so far.
Apple
Apple’s festive advert shows a woman using stop-motion animation to inflict misfortunes on her grumpy boss. However, by the end of the of the film she starts to see him in a new light.
Tesco
Tesco’s Christmas advert shows a family getting ready for the big day, and how a trip to the supermarket can get customers feeling more festive with every shop.
Majestic Wine
Majestic Wine’s Christmas advert centres around a mother searching for a bottle of wine that is close to her father’s heart.
Although she is unable to find the wine online, she manages to track it down in a Majestic store thanks to the help of colleague.
John Lewis
Following the retailer’s 10 second teaser released earlier this week, John Lewis’ highly-anticipated Christmas advert veers away from its usual tearjerker angle.
The video shows a young boy planting what he believes to be the perfect Christmas tree. However, the plant ends up growing into a mischievious Venus flytrap.
JD Sports
JD launched The JD Forever Forward Christmas campaign called ‘Forever Forward’, celebrating the iconic JD Duffle Bag.
Aldi
Aldi’s advert takes inspiration from Willy Wonka, as it brings back Kevin the Carrot with an array of characters including Greedy Gluttonous Grape and Sulky Sour Rhubarb.
Amazon
The Beatles soundtracked Amazon’s Christmas ad features a trio of pensioners reclaiming their youth with a snowy sledge ride.
Debenhams
Debenham’s festive ad, dubbed “Wonderland is Waiting” takes viewers through a range of futuristic festive wonderlands, and stars celebs including Alison Hammond and Lisa Snowdon.
Asda
Following its teaser video last week, Asda’s full Christmas ad shows Michael Bublé in the role of its chief quality officer, tasked with ensuring the retailer delivers the very best food this Christmas.
Morrisons
Morrisons’ Christmas advert takes on a playful tone, as it shows support for festive hosts with oven gloves up and down the country singing to Starship’s 1987 hit “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”.
Lidl
Lidl’s festive advert stars a raccoon who determinedly travels across the city to return a little boy’s cuddly toy.
M&S Food
Focussing on the tale of a pair of mittens separated from their owner, the supermarket’s advert shows its festive fairy cheering them up with the “magic of an M&S Christmas.” Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney voice the mittens alongside Dawn French’s fairy.
M&S Clothing and Home
Titled “Love Thismas, Not Thatmas,” the M&S Christmas clothing and home campaign encourages viewers to “embrace only the things they love about Christmas and skip those they don’t.”
An array of stars including Zawe Ashton, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Tan France star.
Argos
Starring the retailer’s much-loved toys Connie and Trevor, the Argos Christmas ad sees the duo showcasing the company’s brands in aims to inspire gift ideas for shoppers.
Sainsbury’s
Set inside one of its supermarkets, the Sainsbury’s festive campaign shows viewers what Santa eats for his Christmas dinner, and features a cameo from Rick Astley.
Lovehoney
In its first ever Christmas TV ad, Lovehoney centres around real customer reviews of its products to show the joy of giving or receiving one of them for Christmas.
Very
The Very Christmas advert sees a host of flamingoes delivering the retailer’s parcels to birds across the city, all while spreading festive cheer and pink glitter.
Sports Direct
In its 2023 festive campaign, Sports Direct sees an 11 year old girl live out her number one Christmas wish of becoming a top sports star.
Waitrose
Waitrose’s festive advert, starring Graham Norton, centres around a Christmas party where things keep going wrong. However, the supermarket’s food ends up saving the day, as the clip points out “when the food’s good, everything’s good”.
The Works
In its first Christmas brand campaign, Unwrap Real Value, The Works shows children unwrapping and reacting to presents, all of which are available in-store and online at the retailer.
FatFace
FatFace’s first-ever festive animation, in collaboration with Shelter, shows its character Stevie the Sheep in search of a home and encountering new friends along the way. The film ends with a message highlighting the current UK housing crisis and everyone’s right to a home.
TK Maxx
In its “Festive Farm” advert, TK Maxx sees the return of “lil’ goat” and other farmyard animals strutting through the snow and showing off their Christmas outfits from the retailer.
Flannels
Flannels’ festive campaign welcomes viewers to the biggest party of the year to celebrate the season. The advert centers around a Christmas house party, with guests showing off their sparkly outfits and bold makeup looks.
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