Argos market leader in furniture
December 14, 2006
A new report* published today by retail analysts Verdict Research, part of the Datamonitor Group, reveals that catalogue retailer Argos is set to become furniture market leader with a share of 6.2% in 2006.
Argos’ trading director for home and furniture, Anne Gardner, said: “We are delighted that independent research company Verdict has identified that Argos is on track to become market leader in the furniture market in 2006. Having launched an exclusive Home catalogue in 2006, furniture and home are key categories for Argos and we are committed to achieving further growth in the future. Our range, choice, value and speed of delivery proposition have clearly gone a long way to help securing this growth in market share.”
Sales figures show that Argos sells a piece of bedroom furniture every 20 seconds; a bed or mattress every 40 seconds; and a sofa every minute.**
Alastair Lockhart, senior retail analyst at Verdict Research, commented: “Argos has been aggressively targeting furniture growth. Over the last five years the retailer has expanded its furniture offer substantially with new ranges to improve customer choice, and has been incredibly busy opening new stores across the country.”
Argos’ trial of its new Home catalogue, launched in March 2006 to showcase its range of furniture products, has been extended to include approximately 200 stores. The second edition has 340 pages and contains over 3,000 products, representing furniture and home accessories in a more aspirational way. In the latest Home catalogue, increased emphasis has been given to housewares, including new sections for bathroom and kitchen ranges. Argos’ next Home catalogue will launch at the end of January 2007, to coincide with the launch of Argos’ main spring/summer catalogue.
* UK Furniture & Floorcoverings Retailers 2006 is a comprehensive analysis of the UK furniture & floorcoverings market and its changing dynamics, with key performance indicators, including market shares of the leading operators.
** Based on every hour of every day
