Below is a comment taken directly from the Elvis UK - The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley's British Record Releases 1956 -1986
"Despite the catalogue number (POP 253), this record was released after (POP 272). Love Me Tender was held back to coincide with the premiere of the film, on 13 December, both designed to capitalise on the Christmas market."
The only single by Elvis not to have charted in the same month as it was released was his 1st release Heartbreak Hotel, each subsequent release for the UK market on HMV charted in the same month. So Love Me Tender having no chart placing until after the premiere would make sense if it was only released in December.