John Lewis Christmas ad casts Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother on a gift hunt
Retailer says it has increased festive ad spend as it marks its 20th year; ad features toy dog Pickles and the tagline 'don't give up on giving'
John Lewis has unveiled its Christmas advert for 2026, casting Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother searching for presents for her grandchildren, with a toy dog called Pickles urging her on. The retailer said it had increased its spend on the festive campaign, its 20th, and was trying to grab shoppers’ attention before the Black Friday discount period later this month.