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Argos charts a new retail strategy as new owners seek growth
Argos generated 4.1 billion pounds in sales last year, far below Amazon's 32 billion pounds in the UK, as the chain leans on free same-day click-and-collect and store concessions.
Argos, a long-running UK high street retailer used by about half of households, is being repositioned under new ownership after years of sales stagnation and pressure from online competition, especially Amazon, according to BBC Business.
The outlet said Argos struggled to thrive as shoppers shifted to e-commerce, while Sainsbury’s announced it would sell the chain for less than it paid roughly a decade earlier. The new owners are signaling they see growth opportunities, including opening new standalone shops.
BBC Business reports that customer views are mixed, with some shoppers valuing same-day collection convenience and the brand’s familiarity, while others prefer online delivery tied to Prime or focus their Argos use on select items like appliances.
The story also notes that Argos has invested in digital but has not matched the scale of its online rivals, with 4.1 billion pounds in UK sales last year versus Amazon’s 32 billion pounds. A retail analyst cited by BBC Business argues Argos can benefit from its store network, Sainsbury’s shop concessions, and same-day, free collection, but needs app updates to better compete with digital-first players like Amazon, Shein, and Temu.