Argos confirms which stores will shut first with plans to close 420 sites

Following the news that Argos is going to be shutting 420 of its stores, the company’s owner has given an update on which sites are going first.

Sainsbury’s, which owns Argos, said that ‘any standalone Argos store which has not reopened since March will remain closed permanently’.

According to the supermarket, 120 standalone Argos stores haven’t reopened since the first national lockdown back in March.

Jaggery / Geograph

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: “While these stores have remained closed, many Argos colleagues have redeployed to help in other Argos stores and Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

“They will continue to do this during the consultation process and we will do everything possible to find them alternative roles within the business by the time this concludes in the New Year.”

These initial 120 stores will be followed by a further 300 standalone sites, with bosses planning to have closed all 420 shops by March 2024, as Sainsbury’s is ‘in the process of reviewing its estate’.

However, Sainsbury chief executive Simon Roberts revealed that there would be 350 new Argos stores opening within the organisation’s supermarkets.

Jaggery / Geograph

He said in a statement: “Argos sales have been strong over the past six months and we have gained almost two million new customers as people have reconnected with Argos.

“Over the next three years we will make Argos a simpler, more efficient and more profitable business while still offering customers great convenience and value and improving availability.

“We are talking to colleagues today about where the changes we are announcing in Argos standalone stores… impact their roles.

“We will work really hard to find alternative roles for as many of these colleagues as possible and expect to be able to offer alternative roles for the majority of impacted colleagues. 

“Given the unprecedented circumstances of this year and the challenges facing our colleagues, including the changes we are announcing today, I have informed the board that if a bonus is payable, I will waive any bonus entitlement for this financial year.”