Flipping through the Argos catalogue and circling the presents you’d like to see under the tree has always been a huge part of the lead-up to Christmas for children across the UK.
But earlier this year, Argos announced that it would be discontinuing the production of its iconic catalogues after 47 years of printing.
The Argos catalogue was staple of British homes since the 1970s and the chunky inventory was once one of the most widely-produced publications in Europe, but after one billion copies, 93 editions and almost fifty years, the printing presses stopped in July.
Argos confirmed the books would no longer be published in a move that signalled a sign of the technological times, with the retailer seeking to shift its focus online after 70% of its sales came from smartphones and tablets.
This left one important question looming over though – what about Christmas?
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Would a Christmas catalogue be printed this year?
Well, in what is an announcement sure to be well received by kids and the nostalgics among us, Argos has indeed brought out a 2020 edition of its annual Christmas Gift Guide – known as ‘The Book of Dreams’ – and it means we can get to work filling in our Christmas lists once again.
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The Book of Dreams is out now! A little bit of Argos magic can help you find perfect gifts for all the family this Christmas. Pick up your copy of the Argos Christmas Gift Guide in-store now or visit our website to find out more: https://t.co/OelkwMJJbspic.twitter.com/CQKZXpu283
At least some form of normality has been resorted to this turbulent year.
Argos describes this year’s ‘Book of Dreams’ on its website as: “Brimming with trending tech, stocking fillers, twinkling treasures and more. Get your hands on this year’s gift guide for all the ideas and inspiration you’ll need to make this Christmas mega.
“A one-stop shop for tree-mendous gifts everyone will have on their wish list.”
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As well as the catalogue itself, the ‘Book of Dreams’ also comes complete with your very own ‘Santa Wish List’ inside making it as easy as possible to “help you get a head start on the Christmas shopping” this year.
A picture by eagle-eyed shoppers of a rack full of catalogues in store posted to the ever-popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Group on Facebook has gone down a real treat with members this week, amassing over 2.4K interactions and thousands of comments, so it seems people are understandably excited by the release.
Argos
The ‘Book of Dreams’ Christmas Gift Guide 2020 is now available to pick up from your nearest Argos store, and you are advised to always check the opening times of your local branch before making any trips via the Argos store locator here.
You can also browse a wealth of festive gift ideas on the Argos website here.
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Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2020 
