But Iceland has decided not to join the unofficial competition this year, and instead, has taken a bit of a different approach.
With the rising cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt nationwide, and thousands of families once again struggling to cover all the expenses that come along with the festive season, the supermarket has decided to take the route of “supporting customers” over investing in a promotional Christmas campaign this year.
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Iceland’s executive chairman Richard Walker called the decision to ditch the advert a “no brainer”.
Rather than spend millions creating and sharing a TV ad, we chose to invest the money supporting our customers during the cost-of-living crisis. No-brainer. #DoingItRighthttps://t.co/a02tYmcaSD
“As a business we were faced with a decision,” he said in a statement to Grocery Gazette, “Do we spend millions creating and sharing a TV advert or do we invest the money supporting our customers during the cost of living crisis?
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“This was a no brainer for us. I am grateful that as a family-run company, we can make the decisions we believe are right for our business and our customers.”
Walker said that the supermarket has chosen to invest in “keeping prices low” for customers instead, through initiatives such as its Christmas Bonus Cards Saving scheme – which gives shoppers £15 back when they top up £100 – as well as deals such as a turkey roast dinner bundle for up to 10 people for just £30.
The frozen food retailer has also notably slashed prices on over 1,000 household staples, and has expanded its £1 value range too.
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Iceland has ditched its Christmas advert this year / Credit: Iceland
Iceland has been met with praise for its decisions this festive season, with many taking to social media to share their reaction’s to Mr Walker’s announcement.
One customer wrote on X: “At last someone who has the right values and puts his money to doing good … We need more doing the same”, while another called it “brave and brilliant”, adding: “The Christmas ads must cost an absolute fortune, so to pass the savings on to your customers is the right thing to do. Well done Iceland.”
“Definitely the right approach,” another satisfied shopper wrote.
The supermarket retailer has made the decision to ‘support customers’ amid the cost of living crisis instead / Credit: Iceland
“Personally, I’m less likely to shop somewhere that can waste millions on glossy adverts. I prefer to buy from independents and I’ve also started shopping at Iceland because I believe in your ethos”.
Another shopper commented: “I love Iceland. Instead of “can I interest you in these products” at checkout to entice further purchases, they instead ask “can I interest you in purchasing these for your local food bank.”
“It’s a lovely gesture from a fantastic community centric supermarket.”
Featured Image – Iceland
Shopping
Aldi’s viral garlic bread-flavoured crisps are now back in stores across the UK
Emily Sergeant
No one tell Peter Kay, but Aldi has brought back one of its most viral crisps… garlic bread.
Admit it, you heard that in the Bolton comedian’s voice when you read garlic bread then, didn’t you? Oh yeah, and they’re also only £1.15 per big sharer bag.
The budget supermarket chain is absolutely no stranger to bringing out some weird and wonderful food concoctions, many of which have seen shoppers flocking to their nearest store – but judging by reaction on social media and their popularity over the years, it sounds like Aldi has properly knocked it out the park with this creation.
By combining two of Brits’ most beloved food obsessions, garlic bread and crisps, Aldi has created the ultimate snacking combination, and they’re now back on shop shelves across the UK after going viral when they were first released back in 2024.
Aldi has just launched new garlic bread-flavoured crisps / Credit: The Manc Group | Rawpixel
If you’re looking to get your hands on a bag, then you can expect the crisps to be ‘packed full of fin-gar-lickin’ good flavour’, according to the retailer.
Shoppers are then hit with the delicious taste of smoky garlic, all while ‘experiencing the hearty crunch’ that’s known to come with Aldi’s premium Specially Selected crinkle cut crisp style.
When the crisps were first released a few years back, a couple members of The Manc team headed to our local Aldi store on Market Street in the city centre to grab a packet of the new crisps – and we can confirm that they are, in fact, garlicky.
Aldi’s calling them the ‘perfect dinner party nibble’ or the ‘ultimate partner to any summer picnic’, and to be honest, we couldn’t agree more.
We’re gonna say it… run don’t walk to your nearest Aldi store.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Shopping
Manchester City release new ‘The Decade Collection’ celebrating 10 years of Pep Guardiola
Danny Jones
Manchester City and PUMA have just released a new clothing line celebrating 10 seasons of Pep Guardiolaat the club.
Simply entitled ‘The Decade Collection’, the new PUMA range revolves entirely around Pep as he marks his 10th anniversary in charge of the Blues, focusing on minimalistic style.
Guardiola has always been a trendy bloke, often being highlighted for his fashion choices on the touchline – even some of the questionable ones…
But with a much plainer approach this time around, the Pep clothing collab
Debuting the lifestyle drop on Wednesday, 15 April, Man City wrote on social media, “Ten seasons on the touchline. Ten seasons of setting the standard.
“Introducing the Puma Football Decade Collection with the Pep Team – celebrating Pep’s ten seasons as our manager and inspired by memorable moments from his tenure at the Club.”
While it’s unclear how much (if any) of these new clothes the Catalan coach has helped design or had influence on, but given its exclusive nature, you can expect it to sell out pretty quickly.
They go on to add: “Created to honour a defining chapter that reshaped the club’s modern identity, this exclusive collection is available in limited quantities.
Starting at £30 for the cheapest item – a ‘P’ logo baseball cap – the most expensive part of the collection clocks in at £110: his special anniversary edition ‘Majesty Low Decade’ PUMA trainers.
You can see some more examples of what we’ve already seen him wearing, and what we’ll no doubt see him in pitchside very soon, down below.
Obviously, City has plenty of other brand partnerships when it comes to both official sports apparel and more casual clothing, many of which we’ve already seen the 55-year-old football manager wear, but you can almost guarantee he’ll be donning them for the coming fixtures.
You can see Man City x PUMA x Pep Guardiola ‘Decade Collection’ in full HERE.
Speaking of which, up next for Pep and co is what could prove to be THE big twist in this year’s Premier League campaign, with his squad of serial winners taking on league leaders Arsenal at home.
Not only did the Gunners’ surprise loss to Bournemouth last weekend help City close the gap on the top spot, but with them refinding their form ahead of hosting the title hopefuls at the Etihad Stadium, it all looks to be shifting back in their favour at the moment.
With seven games left, and one in hand compared to Arsenal, do you see them beating Mikel Arteta’s side to another trophy?
Emily Sergeant -
15th November 2023 
