Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The cost of carrier bags has sparked a sudden boom in sales of wheeled shopping trolleys, claims Argos.
The high street chain says it has seen sales of the products increase by almost 50% since this time last year. The retailer attributes the sudden surge in popularity to discount food retailers that don’t supply free carrier bags, and carrier bag charges levied by other retailers.
Argos bags buyer Laurelin Sharp said: “We first noticed a surge in the shopping trolley sales early last summer – which coincided with consumers moving towards discount food retailers and bulk buying.
“Trolleys are really handy and versatile and we see them being snapped up by customers of all ages. The once dominant tartan design has been updated with modern materials and prints. Our most popular line with customers is the purple spot at £19.99.”
Argos stocks a range of plain and patterned wheeled shopping trolleys from £18.99. Part of Home Retail Group, Argos serves around 124 million customers a year through its network of around 734 stores. It offers around 40,000 products through www.argos.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, stores and over the telephone.
