Innovations catalogue axed

The Innovations catalogue, famous for its weird and wonderful gadgets, is to close after almost 20 years, its owners said today.

The magazine, often distributed free with Sunday newspapers, became cult reading for anyone looking for unusual gifts.

However, following a review of its home shopping businesses, owners Great Universal Stores (GUS) decided that Innovations was "under-performing" and announced that the spring catalogue will be the last.

Around 30 staff employed at the Innovations offices in Wembley, north London, have been informed but may be offered other jobs within GUS companies, which include Argos.

GUS said in a statement: "We will be servicing orders from the Innovations catalogue until the end of July.

"We are reviewing options within the Argos Retail Group as to how the brand will be traded going forward."

Innovations was launched in 1985, and credits itself with pioneering such technological breakthroughs as the radio-controlled clock and the recharger that revitalises ordinary batteries.

The company says about itself: "We admire the amateur inventor toiling away in the garden shed, and when we come across a really clever idea that deserves a wider audience we are happy to provide advice on how to bring it to market."

Innovations was bought by GUS in 1997.