Argos to open concession within Poole's Homebase store

ARGOS has chosen Poole for a new kind of store aimed at taking on the success of Amazon.

It plans to open an Argos concession inside Homebase at Branksome.

It says its proposals for the Poole Retail Park site will create 20 jobs if the plans are approved by the Borough of Poole.

Home Retail Group, which owns both stores, announced plans earlier this year to open 20 Argos concessions inside Homebase branches.

It aims to fight back against the internet giant Amazon by promoting the new branches as places to collect internet orders.

A statement from the Home Retail Group said: “We can confirm that planning permission is being sought for an Argos concession within Homebase Branksome, at Poole Retail Park Redlands, giving customers access to greater range of products from toys to technology.

“If planning permission is approved, an Argos concession would create up to 20 full and part-time jobs for local people, as well as offering even more choice and convenience for customers in Branksome.”

Roger Williams, president of Poole Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “It’s always good news to have new jobs and to see a retailer like Argos has chosen Poole.

“That Branksome estate has gone from being virtually derelict to a really live, active area. John Lewis must have helped raised the profile considerably. It’s good news for Poole, it supplies us with local jobs and it will be interesting to see the outcome.”

Argos has been promoting itself as a “multi-channel” retailer and produced its first digital catalogue at Christmas. ‘Click and collect’ now accounts for almost a third of its sales.

Like-for-like sales at Argos were up 4.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to May 31, fuelled by demand for electrical goods like televisions and games consoles.

The chain recently announced that customers would be able to pick up their eBay purchases at Argos branches across the country from September, following a trial at 150 of its 730 stores.

Source : Darren Slade - Bournemouth Echo
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11331858.New_style_Argos_creates_20_jobs_in_Poole/