Argos was founded in 1973 and is now the
UK's leading general merchandise retailer with sales of
over £3.5 billion (financial year April 2004-March
2005).
Owned by GUS plc and part of the Argos
Retail Group, Argos now has over 600 stores throughout the
UK and Republic of Ireland, as well as distribution centres,
call centres and its head office in Milton Keynes, employing
over 23,000 people in total. Over the next three years,
95% of the GB population now live within 10 miles of an
Argos store.
Since it first started, Argos has established
a very strong, trusted brand focused on choice, value and
convenience. It is the UK number one retailer for toys,
small electrical appliances and housewares. It is also a
leading player in many other markets including DIY and gardening,
consumer electronics and furniture. It also has a significant
market share in jewellery and sports equipment.
Argos publishes two catalogues a year,
the spring/summer edition in January and the autumn/winter
one in July. Customers are offered a multi-channel approach
to shopping via stores, through the website and over the
telephone.
