Waitrose goes cold turkey on tinsel

Waitrose is giving the £1m it “would have spent” to its green-token community-fundraising scheme

Waitrose leads the race to squeeze the festive spirit from our pockets but its Christmas advert, revealed on Saturday, ditches fake snow and bells for Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal in a warehouse. The chain is giving the £1m it "would have spent" to its green-token community-fundraising scheme.

But will the not-an-ad ad inspire other retailers to keep things austere? Over to John Lewis, which starts its campaign on Friday after a clear win last year with its £6m "cute kid gives parents presents" advert.