One-stop shop? Resurfaced Argos catalogue from 1973 containing everything from a harpoon gun to an underwater knife will leave online shoppers stunned

• Argos stopped printing its catalogues in 2020 – but you can see its first pics now
• READ MORE: 13 surprising things you wouldn’t expect to find at this ICON of the British high street

One of the most iconic stores on the British high street is Argos, known for its almost inexhaustible inventory, which for years was printed onto the pages of its famous catalogue.

But in 2020, the retail giant decided to scrap its laminated hard copy catalogues, in favour of going digital.

The move saw the end of an era that had lasted for 47 years, with its first print offering being published in July 1973.

Customers would browse the plastic coated pages, before filling out order forms with little blue pens, and waiting for their item to magically arrive at the counter.

However, while there are no more catalogues to come, nostalgia fans can certainly enjoy the retro pages of days gone by.

British high street stalwart Argos (pictured) stopped printing its famous catalogue in 2020 – but digitised copies can be perused online

Pages from the very first Argos catalogue from 1973 show the kinds of products people were buying 

The cover of the catalogue looks very different to more modern iterations, with a simple look and a retro colour palette

Digitised copies of the catalogues printed between 1973 and 1999 have been uploaded by nostalgia site Retromash.com.

And browsing the items on offer from Argos, which turns 50 this year, offers a fascinating insight into changing trends when it comes to our shopping habits.

Just like today, the products on offer range from toys to jewellery, kitchenware, gadgets and homeware among other items.  

This version of the big book even boasts a range of weapons, including an underwater knife and harpoon gun. 

And the design will also take you back, with a retro colour palette of brown and yellow, and its old school layout. 

THE WAY IT WAS: Perusing the pages of Argos’ very first catalogue gives an insight into the store’s early look – quite different to today’s outlets

The very first catalogue clearly laid out the staggering range of products on offer, listing items from power tools to watches, luggage to kitchenware and bedding to office products

Fancy picking up a harpoon gun? Or maybe an underwater knife? The 1973 catalogue had you covered 

One of the biggest changes between 1973 and now is the development of technology – with black and white televisions still common at the time 

Before iTunes, there were record players and the high street store certainly had lots of options for music lovers

Nowadays practically everyone has a high quality camera in their pocket at all times – a million miles away from the process of buying a camera and rolls of film and getting snaps developed

STRIKE A POSE: No gym, no problem – shoppers could simply stock up on exercise equipment and sportswear at Argos

White goods, which were increasingly making life easier for more families, were on sale at the store, including dishwashers

Looking to fill your home with furniture? Shoppers in 1973 needed to look no further than the pages of Argos’ catalogue

The catalogue shows some of the popular aesthetic styles of the 1970s, with a range of light fixtures on offer

HAIR TODAY: Just like today’s offering, the store had a line of hair styling tools available, from retro setting heaters to more modern portable hair dryers

Beauty fans could find a range of pampering tools in the pages of the big book, from facial steamers to curling irons

ON THE MOVE: Once their homes were decked out, 70s shoppers could prep themselves for the road, with travel bags and travel shoe shine kits

Another popular section of the catalogue is toys, with pages packed with retro favourites like car racing tracks

As well as toys for younger children, like walkers and tiny rideable trucks, more sophisticated games like chess and darts graced the pages 

And the entertainment didn’t stop there, with costumes on offer, as well as a large selection of dolls and doll houses

Craft enthusiasts could also find interesting equipment, including dressmaker dummies and sewing machines – and shopping trollies to roll them home in 

Every member of the family can find something at the store – including companion animals like dogs, fish, and hamsters

And of course, no Argos catalogue would be complete without its jewellery offering, with the 1973 version boasting a selection of diamond rings

Even in the early days, the brand had a chain of outlets, with stores in cities like London and Canterbury among other places 

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