John Lewis has officially opened its online Christmas shop, giving shoppers an early start to the festive season with 119 sleeps remaining until Christmas Day. The launch follows a significant increase in early Christmas planning, with searches for “Christmas” on John Lewis rising sharply immediately after the World Cup final.
The retailer said festive searches jumped by more than 33% week-on-week following the final whistle, with interest arriving around three weeks earlier than it did in 2025. The trend highlights how shoppers are increasingly beginning their Christmas preparations well ahead of December.
Among this year’s highlights is the new Aylesford Super Pre-Lit tree, featuring more than 4,200 bulbs, making it the most heavily illuminated pre-lit Christmas tree John Lewis has introduced. The retailer is also expanding its selection of trees to cater for the growing popularity of decorating more than one room, with slimline, compact and twig-style designs included in the range.
Pre-lit trees account for 70% of the retailer’s tree offering this season, reflecting continued demand for convenience and easier Christmas decorating. John Lewis says the designs are intended to eliminate the frustration of tangled lights while offering durable centrepieces that can be enjoyed for years.
The Indoor/Outdoor Pre-Lit Twig Tree is another prominent addition, aimed at customers looking to introduce smaller festive displays before putting up their main Christmas tree.
Cydney Ball, Head of Christmas at John Lewis, said the retailer was delighted to launch its Christmas shop and highlighted the range of decorations, trees and gifts available this year. She particularly pointed to the collection of felt mice, which form part of a wider selection inspired by nostalgia, festive food and popular culture.
Partnership-themed decorations will also feature prominently this year. John Lewis has created a collection of felt animals representing different roles across the business, including characters inspired by a beauty counter cat and a bakery hedgehog. The playful designs are intended to celebrate the people and everyday experiences that form part of the John Lewis Partnership.
The retailer is also bringing back its Santa’s Tea Parties at selected stores. This year’s experience will include storytelling with Santa and his elves, hot chocolate, festive treats and a special gift from Plus-Plus, giving families an opportunity to begin their Christmas celebrations well before the big day.
Another new character collection features six colourful yetis, each with an individual personality and name inspired by words associated with wild or wintry weather. The characters will be available as Christmas tree baubles as well as soft toys, extending the collection beyond traditional decorations.
John Lewis is also highlighting the scale of its expected Christmas operation through a series of festive comparisons.
The retailer forecasts that the number of Christmas trees it sells could be equivalent to planting a dense forest covering around 25 acres, or approximately 12 Premier League football pitches.
Its planned bauble sales, if placed end-to-end, would create a continuous line stretching from Central London to Paris. Meanwhile, the retailer expects to sell enough Christmas lights to form a glowing route from London to Edinburgh, with almost 30 miles of additional lights left over.
The early launch demonstrates how the Christmas shopping season is continuing to move forward, with retailers responding to consumers who are beginning their festive planning earlier and looking for inspiration, convenience and distinctive products well before December.
For John Lewis, Christmas is becoming more than a final-quarter shopping event. The early launch, expanded product range and in-store experiences demonstrate how the retailer is using the festive season to engage customers months before Christmas Day.