Argos today opened its smallest store yet at Cannon Street tube station.
The Argos Collect store covers only 650sq ft – with a 170 sq ft sales floor comparable to a large home kitchen – but gives shoppers access to up to 20,000 products. Customers can order goods at the digital format store, browsing the range through in-store tablets, or online to collect them the same day or the next day. Fast Track collection promises shoppers will take delivery of online orders within a minute.
The new store is part of the company’s drive to develop a digital-first strategy, expressed through a range of digital-first stores, such as that at Old Street (pictured).
John Walden, chief executive of Argos parent company the Home Retail Group, said: “Digital shoppers are increasingly demanding improved choice, convenience and speed in the fulfilment of their online orders, especially via click and collect; the collection of their online orders from a conveniently located shop.
“Argos has been a click and collect leader and we continue to innovate our offer with our new digital stores. They represent what we believe will be the role of the Argos store in an emerging digital future – modern and energetic, with larger ranges available within hours, tablets for easy browsing and ordering, streamlined in-store customer journeys including 60-second Fast Track collection of online purchases, and a friendly human face to provide personalised customer service.”
The launch chimes with Transport for London’s strategy to develop its estate by improving services on offer to customers, generating revenue, put at £3.4bn over the next decade, to invest back into transport services.
Graeme Craig, director of commercial development at Transport for London, said the deal with Argos was “another example of what we are doing to give our customers convenient access to the products and services they need as they travel across our network. “The partnership will generate revenues that will allow us to reinvest in London’s transport network whilst also bearing down on fares,” he said.
