Argos corporate news
Argos celebrates 35 years as it launches its 70th catalogue
29 July 2008
Argos, the UK’s leading general merchandise retailer and pioneer of multi-channel shopping, is celebrating 35 years of business as it launches the 70th edition of the essential Argos catalogue. Originally 250 pages and containing 4,700 items on its inception in 1973, the new catalogue, available from Saturday 26 July, now has 18,800 products on 1,800 pages and typically can be found in 17 million or two-thirds of UK homes.
Compared to the same catalogue a year ago, more than 10,000 of the 18,800 products are new, with the total number of products in the catalogue increasing by 700 items. Many ranges – such as gaming, computing, photography, entertainment, gifts, toys and nursery – have been expanded in the catalogue, and there are new brands like Royal Doulton, Le Creuset, Jamie Oliver and Rachel Allen, who launches an exclusive range of kitchen appliances. Online, many ranges have been extended even further, increasing the total range of products available to customers.
In the current economic climate customers are increasingly seeking out outstanding value for money and Argos as always will be offering great prices across its product range. The new catalogue now features an extension of the Argos Value range and, as well as a selection of essential everyday items such as kettles and toasters, it now offers cut price technology such as a DAB/FM radio for £24.99 and a personal CD player for £7.99.
The Argos ‘book’ has become an essential resource at key times of life, whether it’s setting up a first home, going away to university, moving house, getting married, having a baby or getting ready for Christmas.
Argos managing director, Sara Weller says: “Argos has gone from strength to strength over the last 35 years and, through constant innovation, keeps on delivering choice, value and convenience for British shoppers. The catalogue has been recognised as a cultural icon and we’re delighted to be celebrating our 35th anniversary this week by introducing our biggest and best book yet.”
As well as being the country’s first store-based catalogue retailer in 1973, Argos was also one of the first high street retailers to go online some 10 years ago, leading the way once again. Innovation in customer convenience hasn’t stopped since then and Argos was the first retailer to introduce a unique online Check & Reserve service. This is available on every product in every store and grew by 50% last year to over £500m of sales. The internet in total accounted for 21% of Argos’ £4.3 billion sales, making it the number one high street retailer on the internet.
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