Argos  |  Press release

Argos, the UK's leading general merchandise retailer and Sainsbury's, the UK's second largest grocer, have teamed up to open 10 new Argos digital stores within existing Sainsbury's supermarkets. This will bring extra choice and convenience to Sainsbury's and Argos' customers who will have access to the combined ranges in the convenience of a Sainsbury's supermarket.

These new format Argos digital stores will provide customers with a choice of over 20,000 non-grocery products which they can either buy instantly in store via tablets, or reserve online for easy collection within hours, the same or the following day. An extended range of around 40,000 products can also be ordered in store for home delivery. The Argos digital stores in Sainsbury's will range in size from around 1,000 to over 5,000 square feet.

The combination of Argos digital stores and Sainsbury's supermarkets will create a compelling and complementary product offer and provide the convenience that customers are increasingly looking for from their local supermarket. The 10 digital stores will open by summer this year.

John Walden, Chief Executive of Home Retail Group, said:

"Our new distribution model allows us to provide customers in any Argos location with a choice of around 20,000 lines within hours, regardless of the size or stocking capacity of the store. This strategic capability has opened up options for a variety of new Argos stores and formats, and the possibility that we can now cost-effectively reach more customers and neighbourhoods with an Argos presence. I look forward to the results of the 10 store programme with Sainsbury's and to understanding the full potential of this exciting opportunity."

Mike Coupe, Chief Executive of Sainsbury's, said:

"These 10 Argos stores will complement our supermarket offer, giving customers the opportunity to shop for an extended range of non-food items. They will bring something new and different to our customers, and fit well with our strategy of making our supermarkets more convenient. As well as looking at carefully selected partners, we continue to roll out our ranges of own brand clothing and general merchandise in our supermarkets to give customers even more choice and value."

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For further information please contact:

Argos:
Chris Wermann 07718 327107
Rollo Head, Finsbury 020 7251 3801

Sainsbury's:
Rebecca Reilly 020 7695 7295

About Argos

Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 50,000 products through www.argos.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, stores and over the telephone.

Argos continues to be the UK's largest high street retailer online with around 123m customer transactions a year through its stores and 738 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2014. Customers can take advantage of Argos' convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 756 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

About Sainsbury's

Founded in 1869, Sainsbury's today operates over 1,200 stores, employing around 161,000 colleagues across the UK. With 24 million customer transactions every week, the company's focus is on delivering high quality, affordable food, clothing and general merchandise across supermarkets, convenience stores and online. Sainsbury's Bank offers accessible financial products that reward customers who both bank and shop with Sainsbury's. Strong, well-established values are integral to Sainsbury's success in helping customers Live Well for Less.

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