Aldi customers reported sitting in queues on the budget retailer's website today, as people desperately rushed to buy the new Kevin the Carrot range.
The supermarket's Christmas favourites go on sale today. Shoppers were being held in a virtual queue to get their hands on the toys.
Aldi regulars have labelled the process of owning the new range as the “equivalent of getting Glastonbury tickets”.
Kevin the Carrot returned for his seventh year in the store's new Christmas advert. He was joined by his family in the ad, which paid homage to Home Alone and saw Kevin left behind when he missed his flight to Paris.
Fans fell in love all over again after Kevin was reunited with his family, Katie, Jasper, Chantenay and Baby after he misses his plane.
Thousands got up early to make sure they could own this year's toys.
A message on the site read: “We’re very sorry, but there are currently lots of people trying to access the Aldi website.
"We’ve automatically placed you in a queue. Don’t worry about refreshing - this page will update automatically as soon as you can enter the site.”
The popular budget retailer disputed that the website crashed this morning.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “The demand for our Kevin the Carrot soft toys was extremely high and, as a result, customers were held in a queue to enter the website. This was to improve the customer experience on our website and we apologise for any inconvenience.”
Aldi is also offering an extended range of Kevin the Carrot products this year, such as Tree Plush Decorations, which will be available in a selection of the well-loved characters.
Kevin Christmas Pyjamas will also be available in red or blue for ages one to 12.
One posted on facebook in the early hours: New low for me this morning. I'm currently queueing outside Aldi for Kevin the carrot…"
Many have already been successful and celebrated the good news on social media.
Once through the queue shoppers had ten minutes to buy their items and checkout online. The website has now rectified itself and is functioning as normal.
As well as Kevin and his family, Aldi has also released a number of other plushes inspired by its Christmas ad teaser, which paid homage to the 1998 Nike World Cup advert.
Shoppers can get their hands on MmmBap, Marrowdonna, Roy Bean, Ronaldi and Messy, all available in plush form, as well as Kevin’s buddies Mouse and Tortoise.
How to get your Kevin the Carrot toys
Aldi’s limited-edition Kevin the Carrot range will be available to buy in-store and online from today.
But you'll need to be quick as when they're gone, they're gone.
You can visit the website and place your order here.
