Homebase Poole is home to latest digital Argos store

ARGOS says it has created 19 jobs by opening the latest of its new digital stores inside a Homebase in Poole.

The branch at Tower Retail Park is one of a new generation of shops intended to combine the convenience of online shopping with a physical store.

It follows the introduction of Dorset’s first digital Argos inside Blandford’s Homebase at Stour Park in March, which replaced the town’s high street branch.

Keith Bennett, manager of the new Poole store, has worked for Argos for almost 36 years after starting his career in an Argos Distribution Centre.

He said: “I’m really proud that we can bring digital shopping to local people in Poole.

“We’ve had so many positive comments from customers about the new look of the store and people have enjoyed using the tablets. It’s great that our store is inside Homebase, as it means our customers have access to such a variety of products all in one, convenient place.”

Timothy Ditum, Homebase customer experience manager at the branch, has worked at Homebase for 11 years and has lived locally all his life.

He said: “We have been committed to the area for seven years, having opened in 2008, and it’s really exciting that local people now have access to Argos products from inside our store. Customers love the fact that they don’t need to travel around to get the items that they are looking for.”

The new breed of ‘paperless’ Argos branches are wi-fi enabled, with tablet computers replacing the traditional laminated catalogues, slips and pencils. Customers can use the tablets to browse, see videos and read reviews online. Up to 20,000 products, from technology to toys, are available for same day or next day delivery.

Research commissioned by Argos found that 50 per cent of shoppers surveyed believe that one of the biggest benefits of online shopping is that it offers more choice. However, 75 per cent revealed that they still shopped locally.

Argos says increasing numbers of shoppers browse and buy online while still wanting a local store to pick up their purchases Around 46 per cent of Argos sales now start online, with sales from phones and tablets representing 25 per cent of total sales.

Both Homebase nad Argos are owned by Home Retail Group.

Poole council also gave planning permission earlier this year for an Argos inside Homebase at Branksome’s Redlands shopping park.

Source: Darren Slade - Daily Echo.

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