Does the John Lewis Christmas advert resurrect the 90s club scene?

The countdown to Christmas officially just got a nostalgic, dance-floor-ready kickstart, courtesy of the John Lewis 2025 festive advertisement. Breaking from the tradition of heartwarming children and cartoon creatures, the department store chain has banked on a wave of retro appeal, using the iconic 1990s club classic, “Where Love Lives,” to transport viewers—and a middle-aged dad—straight back to his youth.
The ad, which launches on Tuesday, arrives ten days earlier than last year’s, joining rivals like Marks & Spencer and major supermarkets in an increasingly early race to capture the holiday shopper. According to Rosie Hanley, brand director for John Lewis, this early push is designed to help customers “spread the cost of gifting across several paydays” and take advantage of black friday promotions.
Created by agency Saatchi & Saatchi, the two-minute short focuses on a powerful family relationship. A son gifts his father a vinyl record, which immediately transports the dad into a vivid, internal fantasy of his clubbing days. The storyline traces the bond between the two, showing the dad on the dancefloor, dreaming of his teenage son across the room, and reflecting on embracing him as a baby. The fantasy dissolves, and the pair is left in their living room, sharing an emotional hug as the music brings them together.
The soundtrack, Alison Limerick’s ‘Where Love Lives’, features the original 90s classic before seguing into a new, slower arrangement by British singer and producer Labrinth.
In a clever cross-promotion, John Lewis is selling a limited edition vinyl record featuring both versions of the track for $14.99 through the Rough Trade record shop sections in its stores and via its shopping app. Profits from the record will support the John Lewis Partnership’s building happier futures program, which assists individuals who have grown up in care.
The annual John Lewis Christmas ad has become a national event, often seen as the ceremonial start to the festive spending spree. This year’s focus on nostalgia and family connection aims to resonate with both aging clubbers and their children, highlighting emotional depth over previous cute character campaigns like Monty the Penguin or Buster the Boxer.