Many thanks to our readers for voting for their favourite festive commercial in ESM's annual '12 Ads of Christmas' poll – in the end it was a close call! The votes have now been counted and verified, and ESM can exclusively reveal that this year's winner is...
Winner: John Lewis & Partners (UK)
What happens when an unexpected guest arrives for Christmas? This heartwarming tale of interplanetary love certainly warmed the hearts of ESM readers, with John Lewis & Partners – renowned for their consistency when it comes to festive marketing, it has to be said – coming out on top.
Second Place: Edeka (Germany)
Second place in this year's contest went to German retailer Edeka, for its sustainability-themed short, featuring an adventurous raindrop that sets out to become a snowflake for the festive period. Edeka, too, has previous form in this competition – remember 2015's Heimkommen?
Third Place: Albert Heijn (Netherlands)
In third place, meanwhile, is the commercial from Albert Heijn in the Netherlands, which features an inquisitive hamster setting off on a perilous journey in order to find his sweetheart.
If you would like to re-watch any of the ads that featured in this year's 12 Ads of Christmas competition – or you're just in the mood for a festive pick-me-up, they can be found here.
Once again, thanks to you all for voting, and we hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. For more Retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
