1 November: Argos aims to be seen as more than just toys
Many people will have fond childhood memories of leafing through the Argos catalogue and looking at toys to put on their Christmas list. However, the retailer is keen to emphasise it’s a gifting destination for more than just toys in its 2025 festive campaign.
The campaign sees the return of Argos brand mascots Connie the doll and Trevor the dinosaur, in the retailer’s latest iteration of its ‘There’s More to Argos’ platform, running since 2023.
This Christmas, the brand mascots are joined by actor Simon Bird, known for roles in The Inbetweeners and Friday Night Dinner.
The hero ad sees Bird’s character, Tom, doing some last minute shopping and wondering where to get a gift for his sister. He dismisses Argos stating that it “Only sells toys”. The scene is gatecrashed by Connie and Trevor, who threaten to teach Tom “a lesson”.
That “lesson” sees Tom being persuaded to drive into a warehouse, with Connie and Trevor saying he’ll “get what [he] deserves”. That turns out to be a warehouse full of Argos gifts, from coffee machines to headphones. In the end Tom comes to the revelation that “There is more to Argos”.
The campaign was developed with Argos’s creative agency T&P. The creative aims to shift perceptions of the brand to make customers better aware of the range of premium products it sells.
30 October: Debenhams enlists celebs for festive campaign
Online department store Debenhams has enlisted the help of celebrities for its Christmas campaign, with the aim of positioning the retailer as “Britain’s online destination for effortless festive shopping”.
The ‘Debenhams Delivered’ campaign features presenter, podcaster and former Love Island star Olivia Attwood, former footballer, podcast host and pundit Peter Crouch, and comedian and presenter Judi Love. The celebrities feature in a Christmas parade, showcasing Debenhams’ products across different categories, from shoes to electronics.
“This year’s ‘Debenhams Delivered’ campaign captures the moment when the magic of Christmas quite literally lands on your doorstep,” says Debenhams Group CEO Dan Finley.
The campaign was produced by independent creative agency Exposure. It’s a multichannel campaign spanning broadcast TV, streaming services, out-of-home, radio, digital, social media and press. Key placements will include placements during ‘Wicked: For Good’ in cinemas and an Oxford Circus takeover.
14 October: Not On The High Street spotlights customer gifting stories
Online marketplace Not On The High Street is choosing to highlight customer gifting stories in its Christmas campaign ‘With Love’.
The campaign features a collection of films positioning Not On The High Street as the home of gifts the recipient will love.
Each ad features a voice message from a recipient of a gift from the retailer, thanking the giver. The three stories feature authentic camera roll footage and show the meaning behind each gift chosen.
The campaign was created in-house by Not On The High Street and will go live on video-on-demand channels from 8 November. The campaign will also run on YouTube, paid social channels and through Not On The High Street’s owned ecosystem, including on its website and CRM.
Not On The High Street brand and creative director, Rachel Wells, says the campaign highlights gifts “created with real care and genuine love”.
“It’s a powerful reminder that behind every Not On The High Street gift is real person, from a small business, making their product with the utmost love, care and attention – something you definitely won’t get from every other cookie cutter high street retailer this Christmas,” she says.