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
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Pear)
Shopping
Manchester City auctioning off exclusive ‘artefacts’ from Pep Guardiola’s office
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to auction off a limited number of used and/or signed items previously owned by legendary football manager Pep Guardiola himself.
The iconic Catalan head coach may have now left the club, but it’s fair to say that supporters are still grieving the bittersweet goodbye – and if you’re one of them, then this might be a good way of clinging on to him and the memories.
Teaming up with MatchWornShirt, an authentic collectables company that deals in memorabilia used by the sporting stars themselves, fans will soon be able to own a ‘piece of Pep’ if they so wish as part of this very special merchandise dump.
So, if you’re a collector of signed or match-worn merch, here’s a taster of what’s up for grabs:
Several items from @PepTeam's office are up for auction 🤝
Yes, should they be willing to put in the winning bid, Blues can genuinely own some of Guardiola‘s office knick-nacks, a tactics board and notes scribed on by the man himself, as well as his actual chair and even his whistle.
Does that count as kissing him? That’s not for us to say…
There is more standard fare, of course, such as worn training kits, photo frames, programmes and other printed media – almost all of which are signed by the 55-year-old.
On the other hand, if you’re so inclined to go for the super rare stuff, you can even buy his desk lamp and go-to coffee cups; whatever floats your boat.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss left Etihad Stadium this summer after 10 years as a Cityzen – with the club even releasing a dedicated ‘Decade Collection’ in his honour – and it now looks as though he could be set for his next job.
His former assistant turned replacement and ex-U23s/Elite Development Squad (EDS), Enzo Maresca, is now in place and making his first impressions on the City squad; safe to say it’ll take some work to leave the same lasting legacy as his mentor.
As for the auction, the club have labelled these exclusive trinkets as “artefacts”, promising that you won’t get many other opportunities, if any, to claim this kind of ‘KeePepsake’.
Meanwhile, in other MCFC news, the City Football Group (CFG) are taking steps to ensure local fans have easier access to matchday tickets with a new postcode lottery, of sorts.
Emily Sergeant -
15th November 2023 
