CASE STUDY ARGOS AND ECOMMERCE Argos is a unique retailer recognized for choice, value and convenience. It sells general merchandise and products for the home from over 690 stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, on-line and over the telephone. Argos serves over 130 million customers a year through its stores and accepts four million customer order either on-line or over the telephone. It is estimated that on average, 17 million UK households, or around two thirds of the population, have an Argos catalogue at home at any time. Argos is committed to making its stores and services accessible to everyone including customers with disabilities. Argos provide the visually impaired with an audio CD version of its services, featuring many of the products in the catalogue, which is available by ringing a dedicated number. Argos is keen to show that it cares for the environment and its taking such responsibilities seriously. All Argos catalogues and flyer can be recycled! Many local authorities provide kerbside collection schemes for old newspapers and catalogues. Old Argos catalogues are particularly sought after by newspaper print manufacturers as they help to improve the quality of the recycled paper in newsprint. Argos also aims to reduce carrier bag usage by 25% by encouraging customers to reuse carrier bags as often as possible. It also ask customers to lookout for local recycling schemes and dispose of carrier bags safely to avoid litter problem. The Argos chain provides a check and Reserve facility which enables customers to check the latest prices, reserve items so theyre ready and waiting for them in the-store, or order extra products from any store. The convenience of Argos stores makes it easy to visit a local store and buy items straight away but stock of some items can be very limited so they may be out of stock by the time the customer get there. Check and Reserve enables the customer to shop from the comfort of home cutting down on an unnecessary journey! Items marked extra may not be available for immediate collection in a regular non-extra store but can usually be ordered from the warehouse and be ready for collection within three working days.

QUESTION:

Discuss four (4) reasons why potential customers of Argos might be reluctant or unwilling to purchase goods on-line

Evaluate Four (4) methods that a business such as Argos might use in order to market its on-line trading activities.

Explain three (3) terms/conditions of the Customer Credit Act that must be addressed when a customer is applying for an Argos credit card.