John Lewis has unveiled its 2025 Christmas advert, a story about family, connection and the power of a thoughtful gift, set to a reimagined version of Alison Limerick’s 1990s hit Where Love Lives produced by Labrinth.
The ad follows a teenage boy who uses music to express the feelings he can’t put into words for his dad. On Christmas morning, the father finds an unopened vinyl record under the tree, marked “Dad”. When he plays it, the track transports him back to the 1990s, reliving memories of clubs, friendships and early moments with his son.
The story returns to the present as the pair share a hug, with the strapline: ‘If you can’t find the words, find the gift.’
“This year’s John Lewis Christmas campaign is a celebration of connection, memory, and the unspoken emotions that make the season truly magical,” said Rosie Hanley, director of brand at John Lewis.
”We understand the power of a thoughtful gift, and we hope the ad will inspire our customers to find the gift that articulates their feelings, allowing the present itself to speak volumes where words may sometimes fall short.”
A limited-edition vinyl of Where Love Lives is on sale exclusively at John Lewis for £14.99, available from 4 November and exclusive to My John Lewis members for the first 24 hours. All profits will support the retailer’s Building Happier Futures programme, which helps young people leaving the care system.
John Lewis’s long-running Christmas campaigns have become cultural fixtures, but the retailer is also under pressure to show commercial relevance as it faces ongoing challenges across department stores and online. By tying its advert directly to a physical product, the retailer aims to reinforce gifting and in-store experiences to shoppers.
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