Argos moves into books and kidswear
Argos is trialling new products to extend its reach into more categories. The autumn/winter catalogue, launched later this year, will feature children’s clothing and gifts “leveraging its market-leading toy licence relationships”, said a company statement. Argos will also start selling books online, with an initial range of approximately 5,000 titles. More product categories will be added during the next financial year. In a further effort to broaden its reach, Argos has opened its website to third parties, with Argos receiving a commission on each sale.    

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Other news...

Expansion hurts first-quarter profits at Amazon
Operating income at Amazon fell from $394 million (£239 million) to $322 million (£195 million) in the first quarter, compared with $394 million in first quarter 2010. Net income decreased by a third to $201 million (£122 million). It is understood that the online retailer’s rapid expansion and investments in new warehouses and technology were responsible for a negative impact on profit.

Game focuses on linking web with stores
Like-for-like sales at Game Group, a retailer of PC and video games and hardware, fell by 8.3 percent in the 52 weeks ended 31st January--from £1.78 billion to £1.63 billion. Operating profit before nonrecurring costs plunged from £94.8 million in 2010, to £43.2 million this year. To improve its trading prospects for the future, Game says it is working on integrating web and stores “to create a truly joined up proposition”. 

Omnibus edition
Sandwiched between two bank holidays, we thought we’d take this opportunity for a catch-up edition of Insight. Here are some of the articles we’ve featured in recent weeks.
• Nine easy steps to online video success

• Seven easy tips for creating better catalogues 

• Digitally modified staff

• PCI compliance and emerging technologies

• Seven rules to follow when using social media for lead generation  

We’re relaunching!
Next week will see the first edition of Direct Commerce land on desks. Formerly known as Catalogue e-business, the rebrand reflects and communicates our coverage of the growing number of channels now deployed by our reader businesses to reach their customers and prospects.
Subscribers can expect: a special focus on mailing smarter, a feature on website design best practice with examples from Lovehoney and Crew Clothing, interview with John Allan of Ironmongery Direct and much, much more.

To subscribe, and receive a copy delivered to your home or office, email subs@catalog-biz.com. For more information on advertising in Direct Commerce, and for a glimpse of the new look, call our sales team on 01271 866112.