Bill Bailey gives Argos print catalogue a perfect send off
Yesterday, we reported that Argos was to stop printing its catalogue after almost 50 years, with the retailer saying that digital shopping offers “greater convenience”.
This got the retailer trending on Twitter, with many users miffed at the news.
But perhaps our favourite tweet came courtesy of comedian, musician and actor Bill Bailey.
“So farewell then, Laminated Book of Dreams, Wipe-Clean Almanac of Aspirations, Sanitised Lexicon of Possibility. I, like so many others, will briefly mourn your passing before instantly kowtowing to our new Touch-Screen Overlords,” he said.
Couldn’t have put it better ourselves, Bill!
Changing tastes and trends
Over one billion copies of the bi-annual title have been printed since its launch in 1973, and at its height it was Europe’s most widely printed publication, with only the bible in more homes across the UK.
But over the last decade the number of printed copies of each edition has dropped from about ten million to three million. The most recent one, which was released in January, ran to 3.9 million.
“Over the decades the catalogue has charted the nation’s changing tastes and trends in everything from must-have toys to the latest gadgets and devices,” said Mark Given, Chief Marketing Officer at Sainsbury’s, which owns Argos.
“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.”
Argos will, however, continue to produce its Christmas Gift Guide and make it available in all stores this year.
