U.K. department store chain John Lewis released its Christmas ad a week early this year, officially heralding the start of the holiday season.

U.K. department store chain John Lewis released its Christmas ad a week early this year, officially heralding the start of the holiday season. YPulse’s WE Holiday Shopping Plans research found that more than half of young Europeans want to start celebrating the holidays earlier than usual to have something positive to focus on—and John Lewis is answering their call. The company’s annual ad has become an informal kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and after noticing a spike in holiday item browsing on its website, the department store dropped its TV spot—a heart-warming mini-film featuring an alien experiencing its first Christmas. (Retail Gazette)