Index

Forgotten Shops · 1985

Published

Index was Littlewoods’ UK catalogue-showroom retail business. Littlewoods launched the format as The Catalogue Shop in October 1985 and formally introduced the Index name in 1987. Customers selected general merchandise from seasonal catalogues, then used branches chiefly for ordering, payment and collection. The chain ceased trading in 2005 amid proposals for GUS to acquire selected assets and convert stores to Argos.

Why It Mattered

Index represented a major British retail model between mail order and modern online shopping. Its catalogues brought a broad department-store range into a compact showroom system. The 2005 proposals covered 33 standalone stores, the website, the order-line catalogue business and the Index brand. Littlewoods attributed its difficulties competing to buying power and location strategy.

Catalogue-Showroom Model

- The format began as The Catalogue Shop in October 1985 and was formally launched as Index in 1987. - Customers chose goods from catalogues; shops principally handled ordering, payment and collection. - Seasonal Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter catalogues covered categories including furniture, electricals, toys, jewellery, gifts, housewares, sport and DIY goods.

Estate & Retail Changes

- A Competition Appeal Tribunal record described about 135 stores and approximately seven million catalogues per season at the time it covered. - In 2000, Littlewoods announced a rationalisation: five standalone sites were to close, 35 move into Littlewoods stores as Littlewoods eXtra, and 58 be rebranded Littlewoods Index. - Index and Littlewoods home shopping were recorded as separate Littlewoods retail channels.

Wind-Down & Legacy

- In 2005, GUS proposed acquiring 33 standalone stores, the Index website and order-line catalogue business, and the Index brand. - Eurofound recorded an April 2005 closure announcement involving planned losses of 3,200 jobs, closure of 126 stores and intended Argos conversions for 33 stores.

Associated With

Littlewoods - founder or retailer

Defining Feature

Seasonal general-merchandise catalogues used for ordering, payment and collection in shop

Status

Closed - Ceased trading as a retail chain during 2005

Primary Records

- [**Argos and Littlewoods judgment [2004] CAT 24**](https://www.catribunal.org.uk/sites/cat/files/Jdg1014Argos141204.pdf) - **Anticipated acquisition by GUS plc of part of the Index Business of Littlewoods Ltd** - **Index — Closure, factsheet 61425** - **Littlewoods Digital Archive catalogue**

Image Sources

- **Image 1** - **Image 2** - **Image 3** - **Image 4**

Rights Notice

Images are included for historical and archival reference. Rights holders may contact Forgotten Archive through the publishing account to request a credit correction or removal.

Gallery

Blue and yellow Index catalogue cover advertising jewellery, gifts, leisure, audio, DIY, electrical, furniture and toys, illustrated with a stereo, Game Boy, toy vehicle, watch and jewellery.
Source
Credit

Wales Online

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary and research. Fair dealing under the UK CDPA 1988 applies only where its conditions are met. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

The Index catalogue gathered household goods, gifts and toys into one paper shopping guide.

Street view of an Index The Catalogue Shop beside a Littlewoods storefront, with Christmas window displays and pedestrians on the pavement.
Source
Credit

Wales Online

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary and research. Fair dealing under the UK CDPA 1988 applies only where its conditions are met. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

Index and Littlewoods branding share a high-street frontage, reflecting the catalogue retailer’s place within the wider shopping business.

Open Littlewoods Index shop inside a shopping centre, with blue Index signs above two entrances, display stands and shoppers visible inside.
Source
Credit

Blackpool Gazette

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary and research. Fair dealing under the UK CDPA 1988 applies only where its conditions are met. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

The shopping-centre branch brings catalogue ordering into a staffed retail setting rather than a conventional aisle of goods.

Closed Index catalogue shop with metal security grilles pulled across its frontage in a shopping-centre corridor.
Source
Credit

Wikipedia

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary and research. Fair dealing under the UK CDPA 1988 applies only where its conditions are met. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

A shuttered Index frontage preserves the shop layout after the counters have closed.