Argos Opens Underground Collect Store To Speed Up Digital Shopping

Argos has announced the opening of its smallest ever store as it looks to capitalise on the online shopping habits of London’s commuters.

The retailer will be opening a 170ft² store in Cannon Street underground station which will allow customers to make orders and collect online purchases whilst on their journey home. Up to 20,000 items will be available at the store, which Argos say is roughly the size of a large kitchen in a typical family home.

Customers that order from the Argos store before 1pm will be able to collect their purchases after 4pm on the same day, while shoppers who order after 1pm can pick up their items the next day.

Direct

Argos, which is also trialling five other similar stores around London, follows in the footsteps of Asda, which already has click and collect stores at several underground stations across the TfL network. Amazon also introduced Amazon Lockers at two underground stations earlier this year which allow customers to pick up purchases on their way home.

“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,” said John Walden, chief executive of Argos parent company Home Retail.

“Our new Argos Collect format at the Cannon Street Underground station will complement our other Argos digital store trials, including converted traditional Argos stores, small format digital stores, and concessions in select Homebase stores; nearly 50 in total in place for Christmas. Because of our innovative new ‘hub and spoke’ distribution network, we can now provide over 20,000 products to any of our locations within hours, regardless of the stocking capacity of each individual store.”

“We have over 1,000 retail units across our transport network,” said TfL director of commercial development Graeme Craig. “We are keen to retain a wide base of independent quality retailers that reflect the character of the local area and sit alongside pop-up shops, click-and-collect units and high street brands, to provide our millions of customers with better journeys and the range of shopping options they want.”

Hub and spoke

Argos also announced today that it would be introducing eReceipts as an option for all of its in-store customers. The new scheme allows Argos customers to have a receipt emailed for their records to them following a purchase.

The platform also gives Argos a new way to communicate with customers and provide them with offers, providing the company with real-time information and giving an insight into customers’ shopping habits.

“We are very excited about this initiative, especially as trials have been well received by colleagues and customers alike,” said Stephen Vowles, Argos marketing director.

“Customers love it because they feel reassured that they have a record of purchases without cluttering up their wallets, and colleagues appreciate the benefits which enable them to provide an even more convenient service to customers.”

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