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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Sarah Butler

Christmas TV ads: M&S and Sainsbury’s launch early amid living costs crisis

Sainsbury John Lewis Alison Hammond Lydia West Neighbourly Boots Marks Spencer
Marks & Spencer Christmas ad
Marks & Spencer’s Christmas ad features beneficiaries of the retailer’s £1m donation to 1,000 community groups and good causes through the Neighbourly platform. Photograph: Gemma French

The Christmas ad season has kicked off with big retailers including Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer altering their plans as a consequence of the cost of living crisis.

M&S’s clothing and home advert, which last year had an extravaganza inspired by Singin’ in the Rain and Busby Berkeley’s 1930s showgirls, this year puts charitable causes at the heart of its ad.

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