Boots to feature Additions catalogue
Health & Beauty retailer to add clothing ranges
December 20 2003
Boots is to feature the Additions clothing catalogue, formerly branded as an Argos offer, in its high street stores.
The health and beauty retailer has done a deal with the Shop Direct Group, owned by the Barclay brothers’ to distribute 2m copies of the Additions Direct catalogue through 300 of its stores from next month.
As Argos Additions, the catalogue made clothing and other home shopping products from the GUS catalogue operation available for order in Argos stores.
The Barclays bought the GUS home shopping business in May this year, hoping to combine it with their Littlewoods operation. That deal is currently being considered by the UK competition authorities.
Boots already sell childrens clothes, but the Additions offer will greatly extend its range. The catalogue will feature own label fashions as well as brands such as CK by Calvin Klein, Oasis, and Miss Sixty.
The Additions Direct website is the second most-visted UK apparel site, behind Next. according to online traffic analyst Hitwise. However, high street accessibilty is seen as crucial to is success.
Linda Green, managing director of Additions Direct, said: “We’re delighted to be able to continue to bring the Additions Direct catalogue to UK shoppers through a tie up with Boots.
“The brands sit happily together offering men and women access to quality, fashion-led items at a great price, and with the added convenience of being able to shop stress free from home or on the web. This deal not only replaces the access via Argos, it takes it to a new level.”
Ian Filby, Boots commercial director, said: “Boots is delighted to work with Additions Direct, introducing our customers to the breadth of range in the catalogue. We think the deal add value to our high street offer and we may well explore other mutually beneficial initiatives over time.”
