It’s hard to imagine, but after almost half a century the Argos catalogue is no more. Fondly known as the book of dreams, the catalogue – home to many a kids Christmas dream list back in the day – will now reside online and in store, going the same way as the Yellow Pages.
The encyclopedia-like catalogues, the basis of many a child’s Christmas wishlist, will no longer be regularly printed by the end of the January 2021.
The catalogue was first launched in 1972 and at its peak was Europe’s most widely-printed publication, with only the Bible in more homes across the UK.
Comedian Alan Carr famously picked the Argos catalogue as his book choice on Radio 4’s programme Desert Island Discs.
“At least there’s pictures,” he said at the time. “I feel it would help me through.”
But now Argos says that online shopping offers “greater convenience” than flicking through its print catalogue and no further take-home editions of the catalogue will be produced. Instead, its products will be only listed and displayed online.
Goodbye to another old friend, and thanks for the memories.
