Reality bites: Retailers count the cost of Christmas past
Matthew ValentineDoes the latest retail carnage on UK high streets mean the sector has hit rock bottom? A hardening of attitudes to discounting may show that reality has started to bite.
Christmas advertising 2019
M&S takes a swipe at discount culture as sales decline
Charlotte RogersDespite a decline in revenue, M&S credits its decision to “hold its nerve” and resist discounting too soon over the festive period as it returns to like-for-like sales growth for the first time in three years.
Tesco CEO: The most important part of Christmas marketing is the offer and execution
Sarah VizardTesco says its Christmas ad campaign featuring a time-travelling van helped boost perceptions of quality and value, but of more importance is the rest of its marketing around its offer and execution.
Morrisons sales suffer after it pulls back from Black Friday
Sarah VizardMorrisons blamed a challenging Christmas trading period as competitors shifted to promotions, but admits the supermarket “missed” the Black Friday halo effect after pulling back from the discount event.
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Coca-Cola launches global Christmas ad that promises to ‘unite us’
Molly FlemingCoca-Cola is launching a Christmas ad that it hopes will unite the world in its largest ever festive marketing push.
Co-op weaves community and commercial messages together in Christmas ad
Sarah VizardThe Co-op will be donating £17m to support good causes this Christmas as it focuses on the dual aspects of its community work and product.
The backlash against Black Friday should work in retailers’ favour
Sarah VizardConsumers are increasingly pushing back against the rampant consumerism that Black Friday promotes, which can only be a good thing for retailers and the planet.
Sky and Comcast team up for first time on ad that sees return of ET
Sarah VizardComcast and Sky got ET director Steven Spielberg on board to create an ad campaign they hope people will enjoy as much as their content.
The best and worst Christmas ads: Marketing Week picks
Marketing Week ReportersWith Christmas ad season well and truly under way, the Marketing Week team picks their Christmas crackers and turkeys among this year’s feast.
Brands’ shift back to emotional Christmas advertising proves hit and miss
Sarah VizardAfter brands’ more ‘real’, product-focused approach to Christmas last year they have switched back to emotional advertising; but there are as many winners as losers in the brand-building game.
Aldi crowned this year’s most effective Christmas ad
Sarah VizardThe German retailer has seen off strong competition from Walkers, Amazon, John Lewis and Waitrose, and Tesco to take this year’s coveted title.
Coca-Cola launches biggest ever Christmas campaign as it prepares for global ad launch
Molly FlemingCoca-Cola is bringing back its iconic Holidays Are Coming Christmas marketing campaign and its annual truck tour, in what the company says is its biggest festive push ever.
McDonald’s celebrates the power of imagination in Christmas ad
Molly FlemingMcDonald’s is building on its previous festive campaigns to once again get the nation ‘Reindeer Ready’.
Tesco hopes to build on last year’s Christmas success with a time-travelling delivery van
Sarah VizardTesco is hoping a “fun and festive” approach to its Christmas marketing can boost sales despite economic and political uncertainty.
Marketers offer their views on the John Lewis Christmas ad
Marketing Week ReportersJohn Lewis pulled a surprise twist by launching a joint campaign with Waitrose this Christmas, but has Edgar the excitable dragon managed to win the heart of marketers?