Argos corporate news
Argos catalogue on audio CD format
29 August 2006
Hot on the heels of the latest catalogue multi-channel retailer Argos has this week released an audio CD of its products for the Autumn Winter season. This is the fifth edition of the CD and Argos has chosen to work with Talking Newspapers for the first time to produce the CDs.
Argos produces an audio catalogue of selected lines alongside each regular catalogue release for those who are visually-impaired. The audio CDs are in each Argos store for use or customers can order their own personal copies from customer services.
The discs contain verbal descriptions of WOW! deals and the most popular lines from the catalogue. They can be used alone or in conjunction with the printed catalogue. Divided into helpful sections the discs offer advice including how to shop, home delivery with the costs, and after sales service in addition to the 170 product descriptions. The CD cover includes the customer service ‘Order from Home’ telephone number in Braille.
Irwin Bray, CEO of SoundTalking said: "SoundTalking is an established provider of alternative formats to the blind and visually impaired. Our expertise allows us to produce a top quality product for our customers and raise funds for the support and expansion of the National Talking Newspaper service. We are delighted to be working with a recognised retailer such as Argos in the production of the audio CD of their latest catalogue."
Since the release of the first CD in 2003 Argos has worked with various organisations and collected feedback from users to develop the resource. Argos already offers a number of facilities to its disabled customers, including induction loops in many stores, magnifiers for the instore browser catalogues, low level browser units and a text phone facility. As it’s one of the UK’s leading multi-channel retailers, it also offers all customers the opportunity to shop either in-store or, if more convenient, from home.
Laurence Singer, corporate responsibility manager said: “We are confident that SoundTalking has provided us with a great CD, and we hope it will prove to be a very popular format for a growing number of our customers.” Laurence added: “We know how important it is to make our services and stores accessible to everyone, and we hope that this CD makes a real difference to our visually impaired customers.”
