John Lewis has launched its highly anticipated Christmas advert with a range of merchandise to go with it.
The 90-second advert called 'The Beginner' is set to a cover of Blink 182's All the Small Things by US artist Mike Geier. It focuses on raising awareness of children in care, starring a man who is preparing for his foster child to arrive.
As the advert goes on, the man continuously struggles to master skateboarding in the build-up to Christmas. John Lewis shoppers are left questioning the reason behind the skateboarding practice until the final scene when a social worker arrives with young teenager Ellie.
READ MORE: Asda Xmas advert sees supermarket recruit Buddy the Elf
The advert is almost entirely devoid of product placement except for two brief glimpses of the retailer's Lewis Bear toy. John Lewis shoppers can now stock up on festive products relating to the ad, including the £30 'Jolly' Lewis bear and £19 Lewis Bear pyjamas.
Also included in the merch is a £5 Lewis Bear tote bag and a Rampage Skateboard for £34.99. Two chosen affiliated charities will get 25% of the sales from the merchandise.
John Lewis will have a 'Giving Tree' in stores to invite customers to donate to the charities by taking a tag with a value of between £5 and £50 and scanning it with their shop. Children in care and their caregivers will also be invited to Santa's Grotto experiences in John Lewis stores and will also supply communal spaces of selected residential facilities run by Action for Children with electronics, furnishings and decorations.
Shop the John Lewis Christmas section here. John Lewis merchandise will be available via the website and in store dependent on availability.
Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up to our what's on newsletter
READ NEXT:
- Prime Hydration drink being sold for up to £50,000 on eBay
- McDonald's making menu change tomorrow as festive items return
- Asda shoppers 'terrified' of 'creepy' £18 toy dolls
-
John Lewis shoppers 'impressed' with 'beautiful' £40 winter dress
-
'One of a kind' Woolton café permanently closes after eight years in business
