Argos catalogues are being axed after 50 years in print

30 July 2020, 12:29

Argos has announced that it will be scrapping its famous catalogues after 50 years in production.

There was always something rather special about thumbing through the Argos catalogue as a kid, circling your Christmas dreams in the hope that your parents (or Santa) would see it and get the hint.

However, with shopping habits changing over the years, Argos now plans to drop its famous big book.

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The chain, which sells all kinds of items from homeware, electricals, toys and jewellery, has told staff that the catalogue will soon be axed.

In an email sent to employees, as reported by The Sun, Chief Executive of Sainsbury's (Argos' parent company) Simon Roberts wrote: "As most customers are now browsing and ordering online, we have decided that the time is right to stop printing the Argos catalogue.

"Removing the printed catalogue helps us to flex our range and offers and to be more competitive on price."

Most Argos stores have gone digital, with customers selecting items on a tablet screen. The store has also announced that all outlets will function this way from January 2021.

Two editions of the catalogue, was first printed back in 1972, are released each year.

In total, there have been 93 editions and 1 billion copies printed.

Mark Given, chief marketing officer at Sainsbury’s, said: "Just as our customers’ tastes have changed over the years, so have their shopping habits.

"We’re seeing an increasing shift towards digital shopping, using our mobile app, website and in-store browsers. Closing the book on the catalogue will help us focus on delivering exciting and inspiring digital shopping experiences to meet the changing needs of our customers, both in-store and online."