Asda George Christmas jumper

Ex-NASA engineer Mark Rober has designed a Christmas jumper for Asda

Asda has teamed up with a NASA scientist for the design of a new Christmas jumper.

The George jumper – designed by Mark Rober, who spent nine years working on Nasa’s Curiosity Rover, which landed on Mars last year – features a slot for smartphones where users can access a free app to display a crackling digital fireplace. The retailer said it expects the jumper to sell out within 24 hours when it becomes available online on Monday.

“Christmas jumpers are the onesie of 2013,” said Jonathan Tillery, buying director for menswear and childrenswear at George. “This year our knits are even more innovative including flashing lights, digital videos and 3D features promising to delight everyone from fashionistas to tech lovers, and each week at George we see sales soar higher than the week before.”

Sales of Christmas jumpers have increased 200% year-on-year at George since being stocked in late September. Asda reported its budget fashion line sold £3m worth of festive knitwear last week alone.