The brand new RetailX Top1000 Europe report highlights that the retailers, marketplaces and brands that lead in operations are those that add value through the range of fulfilment options that they offer.
UK general merchandiser Argos, an Elite retailer and a Leader in the Operations Value Chain, offers flexible collections and returns from its own 285 standalone stores, from 424 stores within its parent company Sainsbury’s supermarkets and from 420 collection points within the supermarket branches. In extending its collection point network, it has widened its reach while at the same time reducing store numbers.
Argos estimates that around 95% of the UK population lives within 10 miles of one of its stores.
The retailer, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, uses 17 local fulfilment centres to enable both fast collections and home deliveries, as reported in Sainsbury’s Group results for the year to March 2023.
Argos promises same-day delivery to 90% of UK households for smaller items ordered by 5pm and next-day delivery, Monday to Saturday, as standard for orders placed by 8pm. Fulfilment options can be seen on product pages when shoppers put in their postcode.
“Customers value the certainty and speed of Fast Track delivery to shop our breadth of range at Argos. It’s a massive operation spanning our fantastic colleagues across our stores, LFCs, depots, SSCs and Argos Financial Services who contribute to us now having the best national same and next day delivery proposition of any UK retailer,” a spokesperson told DeliveryX.
Argos also enables consumers to return items 30 days from the date of collection or delivery. Exchanges and refunds are also available for faulty items.
Download this comprehensive annual report in full, which also includes seven company profiles illustrating how the top retailers and brands are leading the way: Albert Heijn, H&M, Empik, Oysho, Castorama, GuitarGuitar and River Island. Also included is an interview with Ikea who is among the brands thinking again about how they sell as shoppers change their shopping habits once more.
