Marks and Spencer has recorded rocketing searches for Christmas products on its website.

The retailer said that the top five searches last week were for slippers, Harry Potter, bras, Christmas pyjamas and gin.

Harry Potter and gin = a rock and roll Christmas, apparently. Although if you ask us, it’s all about Percy Pig Pies this year.

Get cracking!

Earlier this week, the British Retail Consortium launched an advertising campaign calling on the public to start their Christmas shopping earlier than usual.

This kicked off on radio stations and will run across national print and social channels through until early November.

With social distancing measures and other coronavirus restrictions front of mind, the Shop Early, Start Wrapping, Enjoy Christmas campaign aims to prevent the retail rush typically seen through late November and December both in stores and online.  

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Whilst celebrations will no doubt be a little different this year, we know customers want to keep Christmas special.”

“That’s why we’re encouraging people to shop early and prevent the last minute rush so their fellow customers and all the store colleagues, warehouse workers and delivery drivers working behind the scenes, have the space they need to stay safe and well.”

“Our September sales figures show signs some customers have already started a little earlier than usual, as spreading your Christmas shopping has many benefits in today’s climate - from safety to managing finances.”

“However, we want more people to embrace the true Christmas spirit, think of others and ‘shop early, start wrapping’ and most of all enjoy Christmas – however they are celebrating,” she concluded.

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