Thursday evening saw the Christmas lights being turned on in London’s busy Regent Street shopping thoroughfare and, in a parallel event, Hamleys unveiled its Christmas window to the world.
Shoppers and holiday-makers were treated to elves, singers and Hamleys’ own bear outside the store as a slow reveal highlighted its windows full of Harry Potter and Minecraft-related products festooned on Christmas trees. Two of the windows feature the former, and product for the popular online game is in the other.
Although the event essentially kicks off Hamleys Christmas celebrations, customers have already been in buying gifts for December 25, as the store’s general manager Keane Herman told TnP.
“Our Christmas window displays have been a beloved tradition for generations, and this year, we have gone above and beyond, to create something brand new and truly extraordinary“
Sumeet Yadav, CEO, Hamleys
He said: “It’s an exciting day, it’s the first day of Christmas in somw ways, but we’ve already had some really busy weeks these past few weeks and you can feel the energy, feel the change in the people. They’ve got more bags, more items and tou can see it in their faces, they’re thinking about Christmas.”
Hamleys window is a huge attraction and, as Herman added: “People come from around the world to see the West End, the windows and the lights and Hamleys is a big part of that. The windows are really important.
“Thus year we’ve gone big with Harry Potter and Minecraft. [Harry Potter] is associated with London and us too, theres a real synergy there. The core fans are now grown up, but they’re now bringing their children into it, it’s cross-generational.”
The unveiling of the windows was followed by an event in the basement of the store or press and influencers, with a special appearance from the store’s own Santa.
Sumeet Yadav, CEO, Hamleys said: “Our Christmas window displays have been a beloved tradition for generations, and this year, we have gone above and beyond, to create something brand new and truly extraordinary. We can’t wait to share the magic of the festive season with our loyal customers and the entire community.”
