It’s not quite Kevin the Carrot’s season just yet, but it’s half way there.
In case you hadn’t realised, today is ‘Junemas Day’ which means it’s exactly six months to the day until Christmas Day.
So, to celebrate this unofficial holiday, budget supermarket retailer Aldi has announced the return of everyone’s favourite carrot-shaped plush toy for a limited time only.
Only this time round, he’s had a summer-themed makeover by donning a floral shirt and has rebranded himself as ‘Malibu Kev’.
It’s no secret that shoppers go mad for Kevin the Carrot every time he makes an appearance during the festive season, with replica toys often flying off the shelves and being sold-out in no time at all – but with these summer-themed ‘Junemas’ Kevins, there’s a slight catch.
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You won’t actually be able to get hold of them in stores at all.
MALIBU KEV IS HERE. 🎉 He's limited edition and ready for #AldiJunemas. Grab yourself one of 300 limited edition Malibu Kevs this Junemas with our auction in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. But be quick – it's only live until 30th June. 🥕 #MalibuKevhttps://t.co/oWbx04HPcipic.twitter.com/QpNEaWewu2
Instead, loyal Kevin fans will have to bid on the cuddly root vegetable toys over on eBay.
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There will be 300 Malibu Kevins up for grabs, and shoppers will have the chance to bid over five days for the special summer-themed toy, with all of the proceeds going to the supermarket’s charity partner – Teenage Cancer Trust.
Speaking on Kevin the Carrot’s highly-anticipated summertime appearance, Julie Ashfield – Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK – said: “Since we announced our Junemas range, there has been huge excitement from our customers, and we’ve had many asking if Kevin the Carrot is due to make an appearance.
“It really wouldn’t be a festive celebration without him, so we’re delighted to confirm that he will indeed be returning.
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There will be 300 Malibu Kevins up for grabs on eBay over the next five days / Credit: Aldi UK
“Proceeds of all sales will go to Teenage Cancer Trust.
“[So] however you plan to celebrate, be it a garden party or even taking inspiration from our friends ‘Down Under’ with a barbeque, we wish you a very Merry Junemas.”
‘Malibu Kev’ will be available to bid on eBay until 30 June, and you can grab yours here.
Featured Image – Aldi UK
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Data reveals Manchester hotel prices have ALREADY surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates
Emily Sergeant
Manchester hotel prices have apparently already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates, some new data has revealed.
Of course, absolutely nothing is set in stone yet and we are still yet to receive any form of announcement.
But with rumours having been swirling for months now that Oasis will be touring again in 2027, and several videos shared on the band’s social media platforms this week also hinting at that, it’s been revealed that searches for ‘when are Oasis tickets going on sale?’ have soared by 5,000% in the last seven days alone.
After recent data has pointed towards soaring searches for tickets, the experts at SeatPick decided to analyse the average cost of accommodation in Manchester on the suspected concert nights in June 2027 to uncover if prices have surged along with the searches.
Data reveals that Manchester hotel prices have already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
And lo and behold, it appears that they have.
The ticketing platform has revealed that hotel prices have surged by up to 462% during Oasis’ rumoured concert nights in Manchester.
The rumoured weekend date of 19 and 20 June has experienced the most noticeable price surge – with a two-star hotel costing an average of £216 for just one overnight stay.
The data also reveals that the rumoured finale on the 27 June has just a £95 difference between two-star hotels (£200) and five-star hotels (£295).
“Our analysis uncovered an enormous markup for local accommodation on nights that Oasis is rumoured to perform in Manchester,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO at ticket platform SeatPick.
“Being aware of these accommodation costs and additional expenses can help fans plan and avoid being caught off guard by inflated prices on concert nights.
“To find the best deals on hotels, concertgoers should scan budget chains in the city or look slightly outside of the centre in hotspots served by local bus routes or regional trains, such as Salford and Trafford.
“Booking early might also be beneficial for fans dedicated to seeing the band perform.
“You can opt for free cancellation options, in case rumoured dates change, or you’re no longer able to attend.”
Featured Image – Point3D (via Unsplash)
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Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Emily Sergeant -
25th June 2021 
