John Lewis has sent waves of excitement through the festive season countdown by revealing it will feature a beloved 90s dance anthem in its highly anticipated 2025 Christmas advertisement.
The retail giant confirmed it has secured the rights to CeCe Peniston's iconic club classic 'Finally' for this year's campaign, marking a return to the musical storytelling that made its ads legendary.
A Nostalgic Musical Choice
Breaking from recent tradition, John Lewis is embracing pure nostalgia with its soundtrack selection. The 1991 house music track, which became an instant dancefloor sensation and has maintained its popularity for decades, represents a significant departure from the original ballads and orchestral covers that have dominated recent campaigns.
The choice signals a deliberate shift toward uplifting, celebratory energy for this year's festive message. 'Finally' peaked at number two in the UK charts upon its original release and has since become a cultural touchstone for multiple generations.
The Countdown to Revelation
While the musical centrepiece has been revealed, the full advertisement remains under wraps. The retailer is maintaining its characteristic secrecy around the advert's narrative theme and visual execution.
Industry insiders suggest the upbeat nature of the track indicates a move away from the tear-jerking emotional narratives of previous years toward a more joyous, celebratory tone. The official unveiling is expected to follow the brand's traditional mid-November launch window.
Where Love Lives Returns
The campaign will continue under the 'Where Love Lives' branding that John Lewis introduced last year, moving away from the long-running 'Never Knowingly Undersold' tagline. This philosophical shift toward emotional connection rather than price positioning has redefined the retailer's marketing approach.
The 2024 advert featuring a father transforming into a troll for his daughter proved the new direction's success, generating significant positive engagement and setting high expectations for this year's musical revelation.
As the Christmas advertising battle intensifies, John Lewis's strategic blend of 90s nostalgia with contemporary branding promises to capture the nation's attention once again, proving that sometimes the perfect festive ingredient has been waiting in the archives all along.