The supermarket sitcom returns for a festive one-off that sees Gavin invite Julie over for Christmas dinner. She is excited at the prospect of a smooch under the mistletoe - so much so that she turns down an opportunity to head up the Widnes branch of Valco - but things don't turn out quite the way she expected. It's business as usual elsewhere as Lisa showcases her enviable customer-service skills and Colin and Leighton wage war against a group of carol-singing scouts, while a brewing snowstorm threatens everyone's holiday plans.

News of Leighton's sacking doesn't go down well, and it's Julie who receives the brunt of the backlash. The No Nonsense range comes in handy for a pregnant Sue.

Gavin and Lorraine are as unlikely a pairing as Spam and ice cream but, with Julie on "sick leave", they're forced to work together

Gavin assures Julie that he won't make another Lorraine-shaped mistake as the search for her replacement gets under way.

It's the one-millionth customer promotion, complete with balloon archway and Leighton in the guise of the Valco tick.

A treasure hunt is held to celebrate 50 years of Valco value. Meanwhile, despite his best efforts, Gavin can't avoid confronting his and Cheryl's situation.

Gavin is hit hard by the death of his dog Chester and, understandably distracted, accidentally leaves out a document detailing staff wages, which Leighton promptly pins up on the noticeboard.

Gavin is determined to make Charlie look good when dad Brendan swings by the store to see if she has been taught the ins and outs of supermarket work. Plus, Colin forces Rose and Lisa to resolve their differences.

Lorraine's crisis management skills are put to the test when Valco is struck by a bout of the flu. Meanwhile, a hungover Katie struggles to deal with Neville.

After one mishap too many, Lorraine tells Julie to give Leighton some bad news. Margaret, meanwhile, roots around her family tree and makes a big discovery.

It's Christmas Eve and Gavin has an important proposal for Cheryl, but when a bid to throw her off the scent spectacularly backfires, he is left desperate to make amends. Brian returns to the store and is clearly unimpressed with humble new pharmacist Alan, while Colin and Lisa witness something horrifying and the spark between Katie and Daniel becomes clearer than ever at the Valco Christmas party.

Julie awaits her interview, and Katie has some bad news for Kieran.

It's the day of the scheduled fire drill and Julie's still off, so Gavin steps in to brief the troops.

Julie is welcomed back to a Lorraine-free Valco and, therapy having done the trick, she's noticeably more relaxed; unnervingly so.

Everybody is doing their part for charity. Gavin is waxing his legs, Sue and Linda are on exercise bikes, and Lisa is filling up the swear jar. But who will win the grand prize in the raffle, a brand new car?

Somebody gets fired. Colin tries his hand at blackmail. Heather runs the tasting station. Things are tense between Sue and Linda, and hot between Gavin and Cheryl.

Lorraine ends up venting her anger Julie's way after a pleased Leighton returns to work. Katie lets Kieran know about the latest news involving her love life.

Gavin decides to fight back when he shows up at work to find a huge Lauda truck blocking Valco's entrance. Charlie discovers an embarrassing secret about Daniel.

Sparks fly when Gavin and Cheryl are forced to spend the day in close quarters. There is also a recall of some bad lasagnes. Plus, it's Sue's birthday - but will anyone have remembered her big day?

It's Christmas Eve and Gavin is doing is best Scrooge impersonation. An old friend drops by for a visit. And Colin is a surprisingly good Santa.

Valco finally announces its new area manager while new sales rep Duncan ruffles a few feathers. Gavin's thoughts turn to the amount of cheap unhealthy food that Valco sells.

Duncan's back in store and is far from impressed with Gavin's health food drive so he starts one of his own to promote his products to customers and staff alike. Katie also faces an unwanted visitor in the form of Daniel's girlfriend Holly.

Cheryl orders Gavin to cooperate with Duncan as he launches a new energy drink in store. Meanwhile, things between Holly, Katie and Daniel take an unusual turn.

Julie finds her spirits being a bit too lifted after Gavin gives her the Valco manager's handbook. Andy wishes he had never signed up to run the marathon.

With Gavin away for the day, Julie jumps at the chance to take charge. Trouble looms, however... Meanwhile, Andy bumps into a butcher he's had a beef with in the past.