Argos  |  Press release

The cost of carrier bags has sparked a sudden boom in one of the most ridiculed shopping accessories seen on British high streets - the wheeled shopping trolley.

Leading retailer Argos has seen sales increase by almost 50 per cent since this time last year.

Discount food retailers who don't supply free carrier bags and charges levied by other retailers, are believed to be behind the sudden surge in popularity of the wheeled shopping trolley.

With so much shopping to carry these days the shopping trolleys are one of the obvious answers to today's value conscious shoppers buying in bulk.

Commonly associated with grannies, the shopping trolleys hit a popularity peak in the 1970's before the arrival of huge hypermarkets and disposable carrier bags.

Demand gradually declined with the growth of out of town shopping centres where a car was closer at hand and lifting and carrying was minimal.

Laurelin Sharp, Argos bags buyer 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.

"Trollies 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 and all are available to Check & Reserve online at argos.co.uk for collection from stores nationwide.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
For more information, please contact the Argos Press Office on 0845 120 4365 or email: media.relations@argos.co.uk.  Follow us on Twitter at @argos_PR.

About Argos
Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 40,000 products through www.argos.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, stores and over the telephone.

Argos continues to be the UK's largest high street retailer online with 635 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2013.  Argos serves around 124 million customers a year through its network of around 734 stores. 

In the financial year to February 2013, Argos sales were £3.9 billion and it employed some 30,000 people across the business.

Argos is part of Home Retail Group, the UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer. 

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