Argos continues to develop multi-channel innovation

Following from its recent ranking as the UK's second largest UK internet retailer, Argos has confirmed it will be extending its multichannel sales strategy with the launch of Argos TV this summer.

The retail giant saw 400m visits to its website and made multichannel sales worth £1.9bn, almost half its total sales over the past year. Its parent company, the Home Retail Group, has predicted that the £750m UK TV shopping market is set for continued growth.

Argos TV will be broadcast through a leased Sky channel on an initial one-year trial. It will offer home shoppers a showcase of the full range of Argos products, trial new product ideas and give guidance on complex purchase items.

The Home Retail Group has pledged to further innovation to counteract the uncertain economic climate. As well as Argos TV, it is also set to release mobile Argos apps for the iPad and Android. The Argos iPhone app, which has been downloaded 1.3m times since its May 2010 launch, now drives around 1% of Argos' sales.

The company is also now selling third-party product ranges online, earning commission from sales and starting a trial of book retail. Argos says that eventually it will offer 5,000 titles through the internet.

Source : Commerce Tuned