Questions over future of Lancashire Argos stores

Supermarket Sainsbury's has confirmed hundreds of Argos stores could close under plans to buy owner Home Retail Group as it set out its case for the £1 billion-plus takeover.
Argos logoArgos logo
Argos logo

The group said it was “considering its position” after it took the market by surprise last week when it revealed it had made an approach the group in November, which was rebuffed.

But in a presentation outlining its rationale for the tie-up, Sainsbury’s said up to half of the Argos chain’s 734 stores could be shut and instead brought into its supermarkets as concessions.

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It is unclear if Argos shops in Preston, Leyland and Chorley would be affected.

Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe remained tight-lipped on talks with Home Retail and plans for any improved offer, although he stressed the group would not overpay amid reports that some major shareholders want at least £1.6 billion.

“This is not a deal we need to do a deal at any price,” he said.

Sainsburys has until February 2 to make a firm offer or walk away under the City Takeover Panel’s so-called put up or shut up deadline.

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Sainsbury’s said while it would likely shut up to half of Argos stores, which have shop leases with less than five years to run, there would be an increase in the number of overall sites as it outlined aims to roll out concessions nationwide.

There are already 10 Argos concessions within Sainsbury’s stores as part of a trial.

The group said it was a “strategically compelling transaction” which would allow it to take on the might of rivals such as Amazon, with more than 100,000 general merchandise products between Argos and Sainsbury’s.

It also sought to answer critics who have questioned cross-selling opportunities, claiming that over 40 per cent of households have shopped in both Argos and Sainsbury’s over the past year.

But there was no mention of Homebase, stoking speculation that it would seek to offload the business.

Mr Coupe said he “couldn’t be drawn on it”.