Argos scraps catalogue after nearly 50 years

Argos has printed and sent out 93 editions and over 1 billion copies of its biannual catalogue since its inception in 1973.

At its height, the catalogue was the most widely printed publication in Europe and a feature in three-quarters of British homes – with only The Bible having greater prevalence.

The move comes as the popularity of the catalogue has waned in recent years, with a reduction in the number of printed copies over the last decade from 10 million to 3 million.

Argos, which is owned by Sainsbury’s, has said it will still print a Christmas gift guide.

Sainsbury’s chief marketing officer Mark Given said: “Over the decades, the Argos catalogue has charted the nation’s changing tastes and trends in everything from must-have toys to the latest gadgets and devices.

“Just as our customers’ tastes have changed over the years, so have their shopping habits. We are 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.”