Watch: John Lewis Christmas ad stars sister in last-minute dash back in time

Richard Ashcroft, the former Verve frontman, provides the soundtrack with his song Sonnet from his Acoustic Hymns album

John Lewis' new Christmas advert, which follows a woman frantically buying a last-minute gift for her sister in the memory-strewn tear-jerker, The Gifting Hour. Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire

John Lewis has released a memory-strewn tear-jerker, following a woman frantically buying a last-minute gift for her sister, for its highly anticipated Christmas advert.

The Gifting Hour opens with heroine Sally running into the retailer’s Oxford Street flagship store, the first time a John Lewis store has appeared in its Christmas ad, 15 minutes before closing time.