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18 September 2003

Argos adds Multimap’s Services to its Online Shopping Basket

Visitors to Argos.co.uk can now locate their nearest store as a result of a deal with Multimap.com, Europe’s leading online mapping company. The store locator has also been built into a unique online reservation service, Click & Collect, for the UK's largest non-food retail chain.

Users of Argos.co.uk search for their local store by entering their town name or postcode. The search delivers the top ten nearest stores with the distance, in miles, from the starting point entered, plus the stores’ full address and details of opening hours. Users are then just a click away from a detailed, accurate and visually-appealing street-level map showing the exact location of the store in which they are interested.

The Click & Collect reservation service is an important part of the multi-channel strategy operated by Argos. Customers can choose to shop with Argos wherever and whenever they like, in over 530 stores, online at Argos.co.uk, on their mobile phone via the unique Text and Take Home service, or on Vodafone Live! By linking with Multimap, Argos.co.uk has made its site even more convenient to use as customers can check stock at all their local stores and access maps if they are not sure about directions.

Jeff Kelisky, Multimap’s Chief Executive Officer said, "We provide our customers with mapping and local information services that enhance the end-user’s experience online. The unique stock reservation function, coupled with top-quality maps and the ‘where’s my nearest’ functionality, will help make the Argos shopping experience even more convenient for both on- and off-line customers.”

Commenting on the deal, Indira Thambiah, Head of E-Commerce, Argos, said, “Thanks to Multimap’s flexible technology, which was deployed quickly and smoothly, we can now offer users of our site the immensely useful stock reservation and nearest store finder services. We’re delighted to be working with Multimap’s skilled team. They have the expertise, vision and attention to detail that has turned our brief into a reality for our online customers.”

About Multimap.com
Multimap.com is Europe's leading provider of mapping and location-based services. The company delivers more online maps, point-to-point driving directions and geo-spatial ("where's my nearest?") searches to more companies than any other supplier in Europe. All services are offered on WAP, PDA, kiosk, and interactive TV platforms and in multiple languages.

The public web site (www.multimap.com) provides a range of free, useful services to assist with everyday life. Key features include street-level maps of the United Kingdom, Europe and the US; road maps of the world; door-to-door travel directions; aerial photographs; weather forecasts; the London Underground map; links to location information; and services such as hotel, restaurant and entertainment booking. Multimap.com, which was recently voted Best Internet Service in the World Communication Awards 2002, attracts over 5.5 million unique users every month and is one of the top 10 most visited websites in the UK.

About Argos
Argos is the UK's largest non-food retail chain, with sales over £3bn (financial year April 2002-March 2003). Argos is the UK number one retailer for toys and small electrical appliances, and a leading player in many other markets including DIY and gardening, consumer electronics and furniture. It also has a significant market share in jewellery, sports equipment and furniture. Founded in 1973, Argos is part pf the Argos Retail Group which is owned by GUS plc. (See www.gusplc.com for further details, including the annual report on Argos Retail Group – and GUS plc).

Argos, has over 540 stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland and approximately 98% of the UK population live within 10 miles of an Argos store. During the next three years Argos is planning to open 35 new stores a year employing an additional 2,000 people. All remaining small stores are to be refurbished by March 2004. Argos is also investing £120m over four years in its supply chain. It employs over 23,000 people.

Argos offers customers a multi channel approach to shopping, via stores, through the award winning Argos.co.uk website and over the telephone. Customers can also reserve goods using their mobile phones through Text & Take Home, and Vodafone Live! where the whole catalogue range can be viewed on a mobile phone.