Who is Kevin the Carrot and where I can buy him?

Stand by your computer: Kevin the Carrot merch is available online from 15 November

Aldi Kevin the Carrot series toys: Turkey, Hedgehog, Pilot Kevin, Grate Grandma and Grate Grandad (Aldi)

This year marks the fifth appearance of Kevin the Carrot in Aldi’s annual Christmas advert after the character was first introduced in 2016. 

Last week saw the launch of the German supermarket chain’s festive campaign, which channelled classic Christmas films Home Alone and E.T. and saw the plucky carrot racing to get home for Christmas with his family, aided by a prickly hedgehog and Father Christmas.  

It became one of the top 50 viewed videos at the weekend, with five million views on YouTube, plus a further 1.6 million views for the teaser advert, also starring Kevin’s fighter jet co-pilot Lieutenant Turkey.

This year, the cute root vegetable and his family have once more been immortalised in a series of themed merchandise to accompany the advert, including soft toys, mugs, pyjamas and tree decorations.

The demand for the Christmas characters is such that the Aldi has introduced a Glastonbury-style queuing system.

“His fanbase has become huge,” admitted Aldi in a statement.

So, how can you get hold of Kevin and his clan?

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Kevin the Carrot products are available to buy and how much do they cost?

Soft toys available for sale include characters Kevin and Katie the Carrot and their children Chantenay, Jasper and Baby, with prices starting at £3.99 each or £19.95 for a bundle (online purchases only). 

A giant plush Kevin is also available for £19.99.

Other characters available for purchase include Wingman Turkey, Harry the Hedgehog, Grate Grandma and Grate Grandad.

Customers are restricted to two types of the toy each.

Kevin the Carrot pyjamas are also available for children and adults (£4.99-£9.99), alongside themed Christmas decorations (£2.99 each).

Aldi’s range of Kevin the Carrot Christmas decorations (Aldi)

A mug (£2.99) and themed gift wrap (£1.99) are also available.

How and when can I get hold of them?

The merchandise is available for online sale only from 8am Sunday 15 November; in-store dates vary.

Last year saw scores of people queuing outside superstores to get their hands on the popular range.

A Queue-It system, similar to those used to purchase Glastonbury tickets, has been installed ahead of the sales.

“Aldi is anticipating such demand for its upcoming Christmas advert plush toys featuring Kevin the Carrot, that it has employed the same online queuing technology as Glastonbury to manage the clamour on its website when the toys are released,” said Aldi in a statement.

Delivery costs £3.95, or is free for orders over £50. Alternatively, you can have your order delivered to a CollectPlus point for £2.95.

The toys will also be available for purchase via the Aldi store on Deliveroo on the same day. Aldi delivery through Deliveroo costs £4.99, and is only available in certain locations.

Despite the products not officially being available for sale until the weekend, the plush toys are already being sold at up to 10 times their retail price on eBay.

The Independent found both of Kevin’s Grate Grandparents, who retail at just £3.99 each, on sale on the ecommerce site for £36.99.

Elsewhere, Harry the Hedgehog could be found for £24.99.

Whatever your success with Kevin, remember: it’s just a carrot.