Tag Archives: Argos

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Argos kicks off Black Friday bonanza Wednesday 15 November through Cyber Monday

Argos kicks off Black Friday bonanza Wednesday 15 November through Cyber Monday

 

Argos’s eagerly anticipated Black Friday bonanza will kick-off tomorrow – Wednesday 15 November – and run for 14 consecutive days through to Cyber Monday.

London, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The leading digital retailer will once again offer deals galore on thousands of products from top brands including Dyson, Phillips, Samsung, Xbox, PS4 and Lenovo across the whole period.
Whilst the deals remain a closely-guarded secret, there will be sizable discounts available on over 60,000 products across a range of toys, homewares and electricals.

Falling on 24 November, Black Friday – the most popular day in the shopping calendar – marks the start of the festive shopping season for customers, with many also taking advantage of the opportunity for self-gifting, adopting a ‘one for you, one for me’ state of mind.

Cyber Monday (27 November) also continues to be an important day for online shopping and falls around pay day for many people this year.

Argos expects Black Friday to be dominated by digital platforms again this year, after its website received more than 12 million visits in less than 24 hours during 2016.  Customers made a staggering 18 transactions a second at peak times during the day and 75 per cent of all visits were from mobile and tablet devices.

Free Fast Track store collection more than doubled year-on-year in 2016. Across the four days of the Black Friday weekend, Argos delivered 263,000 products to 146,000 customers through Fast Track delivery.

John Rogers, Argos CEO, said: “Last year’s Black Friday was the biggest and most successful shopping day ever for Argos, with the first hours seeing the largest amount of online traffic in our history.

“We have been busy preparing for the Black Friday period for many months now, ensuring our digital channels, stores and distribution centres are all geared up in anticipation for high levels of demand for what we expect to be fantastic deals across must-have products.

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday have definitely changed how people shop for Christmas, with many using it for the initial burst of gift buying in the festive season, whether they choose to shop in store, online, or by mobile.”

Last year savvy shoppers were ready to snap up bargains as soon as deals went live at midnight – with half a million visits to Argos’s digital channels between midnight and 1am, equating to 8,000 visits per minute.

Tech and gaming fans were early birds, with 57 per cent of all deals purchased between 12am – 4.30am being video games consoles, games and tablets.

The biggest hour was 9-10am with 720,000 visits to the Argos website, equating to 12,000 visits a minute and 18 orders per second.

Argos has more than 800 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland, which includes approximately 150 Argos stores within Sainsbury’s supermarkets, with 165 planned by Christmas 2017, and around 200 digital collection points in Sainsbury’s stores.”

Argos has recruited an additional 10,000 seasonal workers to help serve millions of customers in its stores over the festive period. On Black Friday itself, they will be joined by hundreds of head office workers helping out on the shop floor.

To get the deals and top products out to stores and customers’ homes, Argos’s 11 distribution centres covering more than five million square feet of floor space will have around 5,000 warehouse workers, supported by 3,000 Fast Track drivers, using 950 delivery vans based at local stores.

Argos’s Fast Track delivery service offers customers same-day home delivery in as little as four hours for just £3.95 and covers more than 90 per cent of the country.

On Black Friday, same-day Fast Track delivery slots will be offered to customers on a first-come, first-served basis with subsequent days’ slots offered once Black Friday’s delivery schedules are full.

Media contact:
press_office@sainsburys.co.uk
0207 695 7295

Source: Sainsbury’s

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Argos opens two new regional fulfilment centres in Birmingham and Reading

Will mean more products to more customers, faster than ever

  • Two Regional Fulfilment Centres opened in Birmingham and Reading
  • Added 200,000 sq ft of space improving Argos’s same / next day fulfilment capability on 35,000 products across the UK
  • Argos’s Fast Track service increasingly popular with customers: sales through Fast Track delivery up 31%; sales through Fast Track collection up 57%
  • 100 new permanent part and full-time jobs created with 400 new jobs over peak Christmas season

LONDON, UK, 2017-Nov-06 — /EPR Retail News/ —Argos has opened two new regional fulfilment centres (RFCs) in Birmingham and Reading to make it more convenient for customers to shop whenever and wherever they want and receive fast, efficient delivery on thousands of products to a location of their choice.

Each new RFC is c.100,000 sq. ft., increasing Argos’s total RFC space to 250,000 sq. ft. The RFCs process orders for same / next day delivery to customers’ homes and to stores for customer collection and they complement Argos’s seven Distribution Centres and extensive hub store network. The two new RFCs will significantly improve Argos’s fulfilment capabilities, with six million additional households now able to get same-day or next-day delivery or collection on an extended range of around 35,000 Argos products. Customers can choose between Fast Track home delivery or free Fast Track Click & Collect from their local store.

Argos’s Fast Track offer has become hugely popular with customers, with Fast Track delivery sales up 31% and Fast Track collection sales up 57%. And with more than 200 collection points inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the country, the RFCs put an extended range of Argos products virtually on the doorstep of millions of customers across the UK.

John Rogers, Argos CEO, said: “Our new Reading and Birmingham sites increase our Fast Track capacity across the UK significantly, which means we can get more products to more customers more quickly. Six million more households now have access to an increased range of 35,000 products, delivered to a location of their choice within 24 hours. This is great timing for customers with Black Friday and Christmas just around the corner. We expect the two new sites to process more than a million items in time for Christmas.”

He added: “We know that we see double-digit sales growth and increased footfall when sales from a Sainsbury’s in-store collection point are fulfilled through a Regional Fulfilment Centre, so we are confident that this will have a significant, positive commercial impact as well as delighting our customers.”

Argos is creating 100 full and part time jobs at each RFC, increasing to around 200 seasonal jobs in each location in the run up to the busy, peak trading seasons of Black Friday and Christmas.

SOURCE: Sainsbury’s

MEDIA CONTACT

press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

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Argos launches its 2017 Christmas advertising campaign

Argos launches its 2017 Christmas advertising campaign

Action-ready Argos elves pull out all the stops to help Santa deliver gifts in record time

LONDON, UK, 2017-Nov-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — UK retailer Argos launches its 2017 Christmas advertising campaign, breaking tonight with high profile spots during ITV’s Emmerdale and Channel 4’s Gogglebox.

The 60 second TV commercial will transport millions of viewers to a magical Argos distribution centre where a troupe of Argos elves are helping Santa to deliver hundreds of thousands of gifts across the country at record speed on bright red super-sleighs.

The advert celebrates Argos’s commitment to super speedy delivery, with online orders delivered in as little as four hours¹ through its market-leading nationwide Fast Track same-day delivery service.

In a Christmas advertising first, three children will also have the exciting opportunity to feature in the TV advert themselves. From Tuesday 7 November, parents can visit Argos’s Facebook and Twitter channels to submit an image of their child using the hashtag #ReadyForTakeOff.  Three winners will be selected and will appear on national TV in the Argos advert for a whole day each on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November.

What’s more, everyone will get a chance to see their child’s face in a personalised social media version of the advert which they can share with loved ones.  Again, they simply need to upload their child’s photo on the Argos Facebook or Twitter sites and include the hashtag #ReadyForTakeOff.

The advert, created by CHI&Partners and directed by Gary Freedman, features a futuristic rocket-powered super-sleigh ready to take off on its mission across the country. The action shifts gear as one child’s long-awaited Christmas present, a Teksta voice-recognition robotic puppy, is found wandering the aisles by an elf.  The quick-thinking elf scans it in at the elf station to reveal its intended recipient on-screen, Tom, aged nine, whose family’s gifts are departing from gate nine.

This leads to a blockbuster-style chase across the distribution centre in which the elf pulls out all the stops to ensure the robotic puppy makes it to Tom in time for Christmas.

Gary Kibble, Marketing Director at Argos, said: “We love this edge-of-your-seat, high-energy Christmas campaign, which aims to surprise and delight across all channels – showcasing Argos’s Fast Track delivery commitment to getting customers what they want, how and when they want it, faster than anyone else.

“Over the Christmas period our teams will deliver 1.7 million items to customers’ homes and process 27 million in-store transactions, and the go-getting elf in the story reflects our hard-working and dedicated colleagues who often go the extra mile to make Christmas happen for our customers.

“We hope our super-swift, stop-at-nothing Argos Christmas elves help us once again to break the traditional retailer advertising mould by adding some excitement, energy and above all speed to the nation’s Christmases this year.”

Yan Elliott, Joint Executive Creative Director at CHI&Partners, said: “Argos is ‘Ready for Take-Off’ this Christmas, and we wanted a thrillingly fast-paced campaign that would really bring to life the lengths Argos will go to make Christmas special for families across the country, in the fastest way possible. We and AllTogetherNow are particularly proud to help make Argos the first UK retailer to personalise its Christmas advert across both TV and social media – and we can’t wait to see Argos fans everywhere become part of the action.”

The Argos ‘Ready For Take-Off’ advert forms part of a 360° campaign extravaganza spanning TV, digital, print and in-store and social media activity.  Media buying was through PHD, PR through Hope & Glory and point-of-sale and digital display through PSONA.

SOURCE: Sainsbury’s

MEDIA CONTACT

press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

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Argos’s AW17 jewellery collection makes its debut this week at Britain’s Next Top Model

Argos’s AW17 jewellery collection makes its debut this week at Britain’s Next Top Model

 

London, 2017-Oct-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — Argos jewellery hits the runway this week as the hotly anticipated new series of Britain’s Next Top Model returns to TV screens on Thursday 19 October 2017.

The first episode broadcast exclusively on Lifetime will see head judge, Abbey Clancy, task new recruits to take part in a Princess photoshoot – accessorising exclusively with stunning jewellery from leading jewellery retailer, Argos.

The 13 wannabe models look every bit the princess as they adorn themselves with pieces from two of Argos’s AW17 jewellery collections.  The brand-new Revere range includes comprises beautiful, timeless jewellery to suit all budgets and the Abbey Clancy collection, designed by the model herself, incorporates stunning fashion-led statement pieces.

Highlights featured in the show include:

  • Brummie beauty Alisia Grant showcases the Abbey Clancy Silver Colour Drop Necklet (£64.99), a unique piece featuring round cubic zirconia stones that will turn heads whether you’re strutting on the cat walk or the side walk.  Alisia also wears the Revere Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Multi Crossover Band (£19.99), a sophisticated ring with a dazzling design.
  • Essex shopaholic Sophia Chawki looks striking in the Revere Silver Round Cubic Zirconia Halo Pendant (£39.99). The hand crafted 18” sterling silver chain features a 1.00ct look of diamond and flawless sparkle and it really is fit for a princess.
  • Fashion student Louisa Northcote from London looks sensational in Abbey Clancy Rose Gold Colour Circle Drop Earrings(£39.99). These on-trend hoops are the perfect eye-catching accessory to add a touch of class to your look day or night.

Abbey Clancy said: “I’m loving working with all our new models and it was so fun seeing them accessorise for their first shoot with designs from my new AW Argos jewellery range. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing women wear my collection, bringing the pieces to life with their own unique style.”

Argos jewellery buyer Jo Rowland said: “We’re delighted to have Argos jewellery feature in the first episode of the new series of Britain’s Next Top Model.  It’s clear to see that this year’s contenders are really committed – and they just wowed us all with their professionalism when modelling the brand new Revere and Abbey Clancy collections.”

The new series of Britain’s Next Top Model premieres on Thursday 19 October at 9pm exclusively on Lifetime, available on Sky 156, Virgin 208, TalkTalk 329 and BT 329.

Contact:

press_office@sainsburys.co.uk
020 7695 7295

Source: Sainsbury

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Argos launches its latest Star Wars™ toy range

Argos launches its latest Star Wars™ toy range

Leading toy retailer, Argos, has celebrated the launch of its latest Star Wars™ toy range by sending the iconic BB8 into space, to a galaxy far, far away…. 
LONDON, 2017-Sep-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — Gliding 37,260m above Earth, BB8 was launched into the stratosphere to return top secret Imperial data to the Resistance, helping the good in their continuing fight against evil.It was in 2015 that BB8 was captured by The First Order, before escaping the evil clutches of Admiral Hex and returning to Earth, having stolen secret enemy data.

So ahead of the upcoming release of Star Wars™: The Last Jedi on 15 December 2017, Argos sent BB8 on a secret mission, back to the galaxy to return this secret enemy data, to help the Resistance in their upcoming fights with evil forces.

BB8 completed its mission in a matter of hours, reaching a speed of over 200 miles per hour during the galaxy-hopping trip. The droid was specially modified for its secret mission, with a team of 12 space experts spending one whole month, preparing the toy for lift off. After crash-landing back on earth, the firm fan-favourite joined key characters from Star Wars™: The Last Jedi in Argos’s extensive range of Star Wars™ toys. Prices range from just £10.99 for the movie-inspired Star Wars™ Force Link Figure Assortment to £139.99 for a remote controlled Hyperdrive BB-8.

The launch was overseen by Dan Blaney, space expert at Sent into Space. He said: “Star Wars™ has always been at the forefront of bringing new galaxies and space travel to the masses. We we’re thrilled to have helped Argos send the iconic BB8 to return his secret data to the resistance, ahead of Star Wars™: The Last Jedi being released this year.”

Paul Kinge, Toy Buyer at Argos, said: “Our wide range of Star Wars™: The Last Jedi toys features exclusive ranges that are incredibly realistic, making them a must have item for the many fans and super-fans out there. To celebrate their release, it seemed only right to resurrect an iconic story line, in this case BB8’s from Star Wars™: The Force Awakens, with a special mission ahead of the new movie release this December.

“Star Wars captures the hearts and imaginations of every generation, and the toys are part of what helps bring the films to life in homes across the globe. We’re thrilled to offer so many a glimpse into the out of this world experience that Star Wars™ offers.”

Available online, in-store or on the Argos app, customers can get over 20,000 products how they want, when they want.  Argos’s market-leading Fast Track services provides nationwide same-day home delivery for just £3.95, seven days a week, and faster collection in 800+ stores for no charge.

SOURCE: Sainsbury’s

MEDIA CONTACT

For corporate press enquiries please contact press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

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Argos launches new collection of toys inspired by the upcoming new release, Star Wars™: The Last Jedi

Argos launches new collection of toys inspired by the upcoming new release, Star Wars™: The Last Jedi

LONDON, 2017-Sep-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading toy retailer, Argos, is celebrating today’s Force Friday II by launching a new 13-strong range of toys and collectables inspired by the upcoming new release, Star Wars™: The Last Jedi.

Available in-store and online now, the new collection includes wearable ‘Force Link’ technology that activates character phrases and sounds, brand new LEGO toys and a new guard figure from Star Wars™: The Last Jedi, the Elite Guard Action Figure.  Prices range from just £10.99 for the movie-inspired Star Wars™ Force Link Figure Assortment to £139.99 for a remote controlled Hyperdrive BB-8.

The new collection will sit alongside Argos’s already extensive range of Star Wars™ products, including exclusives Choose Your Destiny Lightsaber and Star Wars™: The Force Awakens RC BB-8.

Paul Kinge, toys buying manager at Argos, said: “We already have one of the most extensive ranges of Star Wars™ products at Argos, so we’re excited be to launching the new range inspired by Star Wars™: The Last Jedi this Force Friday II. These products are a must for fans of all ages, transporting you into the Star Wars™ universe in new and innovative ways.” 

Available online, in-store or on the Argos app, customers can get over 20,000 products how they want, when they want.  Argos’s market-leading Fast Track services add some horse-power with nationwide same-day home delivery for just £3.95, seven days a week, and faster collection in 800+ stores for no charge.

SOURCE: Sainsbury’s

MEDIA CONTACT

For corporate press enquiries please contact press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

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Sainsbury’s kicks off Argos Click & Collect service in convenience stores nationwide

Sainsbury’s kicks off Argos Click & Collect service in convenience stores nationwide

 

London, 2017-Aug-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — Customers will be able to pick up their Argos and Tu orders from over 100 Sainsbury’s Local stores by the end of 2017. One year after the acquisition of Argos, this furthers Sainsbury’s strategy of serving customers whenever and wherever they want to shop. 100th Argos digital store in a Sainsbury’s supermarket opened in Barnstaple, North Devon on 19 August.

Sainsbury’s today (29 August 2017) announced it is launching the popular Argos Click & Collect service in 100 Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores nationwide.  The initiative will enable customers to order Argos products and Tu clothing online and collect their purchases closer to where they live or work.  The launch follows a successful three month trial in six Sainsbury’s Local stores.

Announcing the launch, Sainsbury’s Group CEO, Mike Coupe, said:
“As customer shopping habits change, people increasingly want flexibility, speed and choice. More customers than ever are ordering online and choosing to collect from a store, which makes their lives easier and frees up their valuable time.  Offering the Argos Click & Collect service in Sainsbury’s Local stores makes it even more convenient for our customers to buy our products.”

He added, “Argos’ leading digital capability is an important differentiator for Sainsbury’s and is key to our future strategy. Over half of all Argos sales originate online and around 80 per cent of customers then opt to collect their purchases from one of our stores, that day or the next.”

The launch of the Argos Click & Collect service to 100 Sainsbury’s convenience stores is due to be complete by the end of 2017.

The acquisition of Home Retail Group in September last year enabled Sainsbury’s to accelerate its strategy to be a multi-product, multi-channel retailer, serving customers quickly and conveniently whenever and wherever they want to shop.  Less than one year on from the  acquisition, Sainsbury’s opened its 100th Argos digital store in a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Barnstaple, North Devon and the plan to open 250 Argos digital stores in Sainsbury’s supermarkets is on track for March 2019, six months ahead of the original schedule.

Source: Sainsbury’s

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Argos now accepting pre-orders for Xbox One X and Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft console

Argos now accepting pre-orders for Xbox One X and Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft console

 

London, 2017-Aug-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Eager Xbox fans can place pre-orders for the hotly anticipated new Xbox One X and Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft console on argos.co.uk from today (22 August 2017), the retailer has announced.

Fans now have the chance to secure an Xbox One X, previously known as Project Scorpio ahead of the launch on Tuesday 7 November 2017 at a retail price of £449.99.

With six teraflops of graphical processing power allowing it to support 4K gaming, Xbox One X is the world’s most powerful games console and is guaranteed to be a big hit with those looking for a next-generation gaming experience.

Also available on pre-order on the Argos website is the Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft edition. Priced at £349.99, the console goes on sale from Tuesday 3 October 2017 exclusively at Argos and Sainsbury’s. Complete with pre-installed Minecraft and a custom design, the Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft edition is a must-have for any fans of this gaming phenomenon.

To place pre-orders, customers simply need to visit Argos.co.uk.

James Cooke, video games buying manager at Argos, said: “The race really is on for gamers to get their hands on the widely-anticipated Xbox One X which is one of 2017’s most exciting moments for gaming fans. We expect high demand for the world’s most powerful games console and are delighted to announce we’ll be offering pre-orders so that fans can secure this in-demand product before Christmas.

“We are also thrilled to be bringing the Xbox One S Minecraft edition to the UK exclusively through Argos and Sainsburys which will be a top limited edition purchase for families and Minecraft fans.  Customers can place pre-orders at argos.co.uk from today, before the console goes on sale exclusively at Argos and Sainsbury’s on Tuesday 3 October 2017.”

Contact:

press_office@sainsburys.co.uk
020 7695 7295

Source: Sainsbury

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Argos unveils stunning 1.00 CT diamond cluster engagement ring

Argos unveils stunning 1.00 CT diamond cluster engagement ring

 

London, 2017-Aug-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — As style icon Millie Mackintosh reveals her breathtaking engagement ring to the world, leading digital retailer, Argos has released an almost identical version, for a fraction of the price.

The stunning 1.00 CT diamond cluster ring, set in luxurious yellow 9 CT gold is hardly distinguishable from the Made in Chelseastar’s newest bling accessory which she unveiled for the first time on ITV’s Lorraine today since getting engaged to Made in Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor last month.

Argos jewellery buyer Jo Roland said: “Millie’s beautiful engagement ring is a classic piece that makes a real statement. For those who love the look but don’t have the Made in Chelsea budget, our Revere 9ct Gold 1.00ct Diamond Cluster Ring for only £899.99 is the perfect choice whether you’re showing it off on King’s Road or not!”

For further information, samples or images, please contact:
media.relations@argos.co.uk
0845 120 4365
@argos_news

Source: Sainsbury

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Brand new My Little Pony range launches at Argos

Brand new My Little Pony range launches at Argos

 

Milton, Keynes, 2017-Aug-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Brand new My Little Pony range launches ahead of My Little Pony: The Movie Top picks include mermaid-like ‘Twinkle the Seapony’, ‘Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike the Dragon Friendship Set’ and the ‘Canterlot and Seaquestria Castle’. Prices range from just £2.99 to £82.99

Summer’s about to blow your horseshoes off, as the brand new My Little Pony toys and accessories range launches at the UK’s number one toy retailer, Argos.

With 33 new products available now, from character figurines to playsets and movie scene collections, prices range from just £2.99 to £82.99 – perfect for pocket money and blockbusters gifts alike.

The new My Little Pony: The Movie will see Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity embark on an epic journey to save Ponyville from an evil dark force. And thanks to Argos, favourite movie moments can be recreated at home.

Although eager fans will have to wait until 20 October to see ‘My Little Pony: The Movie’ in cinemas, they can get their hands-on toys from the film right now.  From cute character toys to spectacular castles, there is sure to be something for everyone looking to join the pony club. Some top picks include:

• The Pinkie Pie Swimming Seapony (£21.99) can be placed in water to swim on her own. Underwater, her tail sparkles and glows!
• Best friends, Spike the Dragon and Princess Twilight Sparkle (£26.99) come in a duo set and will serenade each other when held together
• The Canterlot and Seaquestria Castle (£82.99) allows fans to place the figures on the slide or in the bubble-shaped elevator and have them ride from Canterlot down to the kingdom of Seaquestria.

The 35 new My Little Pony products at Argos join a wider My Little Pony range which includes lunch boxes, backpacks and pencil cases, so everyone can be a proud little show pony.

Linzi Walker, Chief Toy Buyer, at Argos said: “We love this new range of My Little Pony toys for children, and have no doubt they will too!  In a year of blockbuster animated film releases, it’s great to offer children the chance to enjoy PonyVille beyond the movie screen. Plus, it’s an incredible 35 years since My Little Pony toys were first launched – and with the trend for nostalgia continuing, I’m sure many grown-ups will enjoy them just as much.”

Available online, in-store or on the Argos app, customers can get over 20,000 products how they want, when they want.  Argos’s market-leading Fast Track services add some horse-power with nationwide same-day home delivery for just £3.95, seven days a week, and faster collection in 800+ stores for no charge.

Source: Argos

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Argos: UK pet owners seeking Instagram fame for pets responsible for animal grooming products and accessories sales increase

Argos: UK pet owners seeking Instagram fame for pets responsible for animal grooming products and accessories sales increase

Milton, Keynes, 2017-Aug-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — In fact, sales of premium grooming products at Argos have risen by a whopping 163 per cent, compared to the same period last year.

Owners are now splurging on top-of-the-range hair clippers and luxury water fountains for their precious animals. The Wahl Super Groom Premium Rechargeable Pet Clipper, priced at £109.99, is currently Argos’s best-selling premium pet grooming product.

Meanwhile, pet accessories have risen by 13 per cent, suggesting that pet owners are investing in props to make their furry-themed posts even more shareable.  Whilst dogs ‘lead’ the way on total accessories spend, cat accessories have seen the biggest growth in sales at 19 per cent over the last twelve months.

It also appears Insta-addicts are letting sleeping dogs lie, with sales of dog beds rising by 18 per cent for those all-important cute napping posts.

Argos’s most popular pet accessories are:

  • Cat Scratch & Rest Station, £39.99
  • Fur Radiator Bed, £9.99
  • Grey Snuggle Donut, £12.99

This rise in sales has been associated with the increasing trend of ‘pet-working’, where social media channels are created by owners on behalf of their pets. On Instagram, the hashtag #dogsofinstagram has attracted over 70 million posts, whilst #catsofinstagram boasts over 60 million.

Animals on social media now attract larger followings than some celebrities, with pets such as Boo the Pomeranian attracting over 16 million followers on Facebook. And over on Instagram, Doug the Pug and Grumpy Cat command over two million followers each.

This trend has also extended to celebrities – with stars’ pets attracting their own cult following. Karl Largerfield’s cat, Choupette, has over 100,000 followers on Instagram and Mark Zuckerberg’s Hungarian sheepdog, Beast, has scored a huge 2.6 million likes on its Facebook fan page. UK stars who regularly post about their pets include Nick Grimshaw, Millie Macintosh, Professor Green, Caroline Flack and Lewis Hamilton.

Emma Carter, pet care buyer at Argos, said: “Whilst the UK has always been a nation of pet lovers, the rise of social media has really taken our obsession to another level. This is reflected in the huge increase we’ve seen in pet product purchases over the last twelve months alone.

“It’s great to see so many people documenting the antics of their beloved pets and sharing these moments on their social channels. With pets now dominating newer social networks such as Snapchat, the ‘pet-working’ trend isn’t slowing down any time soon.”

Source: Argos

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Argos launches its new AW17 range

Argos launches its new AW17 range

 

Milton, Keynes, 2017-Jul-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading retailer Argos launches its new AW17 range to shoppers tomorrow, Saturday 22 July 2017, offering around 2500 new products and featuring must-have brands such as Nespresso, Bose, Lego, Habitat, Samsung, Dyson and Sony.

Robbie Feather, Commercial Director at Argos, said: “Whether it’s getting the kids ready for a new school term, updating the home or planning ahead for Christmas, we have everything our customers might need for the new season, all under one roof.

“It’s never been easier to get your hands on what you want. Our same-day Fast Track delivery covers 95 per cent of postcodes, seven days a week, or you can pick-up for free at more than 800 Argos stores and 100+ collection points in Sainsbury’s supermarkets. We also have almost 80 digital Argos shops inside Sainsbury’s stores, so it’s even easier and more convenient to shop with us.”

Key highlights from the new AW17 range include:

TOYS

Argos was the first retailer to launch its Top Toys for Christmas predictions this year. Top toy highlights includeLuvabella, an incredibly lifelike doll, with advanced animated features enabling it to drink milk from a bottle and fall asleep just as a real little one would. Chad Valley has introduced the Tiny Treasures twins (£99.99) to its baby doll range. LEGO Boost (£149.99) provides everything needed for children to make five different LEGO models that can then be coded using a free app. Popular on-screen toys include PJ Masks Headquarter Playset (£49.99) and RC Sqweeks (£79.99) from Transformers: The Last Knight.

Much-loved heritage brand Chad Valley’s range of quality and affordable toys are designed to encourage imaginative play. The Mega Ball Run (£39.99), Deluxe Corner Kitchen (£139.99) and Glamour Mansion Dolls House (£64.99) are sure to be popular gifts this year.

The popular DesignAFriend range sees a refresh of the dolls, outfits and accessories this season and features the brand new Best Friend dolls (£39.99) and the Harper Style & Go Suitcase and Doll (£69.99).

The brand new Tots Town range features 11 colourful playsets designed to encourage children aged 18 months to four years to explore the world and have magical adventures with the characters. Including a vet centre, pirate ship, princess castle and a police station, as well as sets of additional characters, they will inspire young children to invent their own stories and develop their creativity in play. Available from mid-August, prices range from £9.99 – £34.99.

HOME & FURNITURE

Argos’s new season home collection is based on five key trends with stylish, quality products available across its own brand ranges – Heart of House, The Collection and Home by Argos.

Inhabit is a nod to minimal living, creating a calm interior with wooden furniture in natural tones and botanical patterns on bedding. Native Earth will transport your interiors to New Mexico and South America, featuring modern designs in warm colour palettes with tribal patterns on rugs and towels. Dark Poetry exudes a luxurious winter, with rich navy tones featuring on items from cushions to chairs and deep green sofas, contrasted with gold framework lighting and marbled clocks. Forest Frost transports you to a crisp winter morning, most notably in the bathroom with tranquil bath curtains featuring calm patterns. Artisan brings country styling to the home, featuring textured table and stoneware, wooden-topped white tables and stone hues.

New products are also available from Hygena, a smart-living collection with space-saving solutions and stylish designs. Standout pieces this year include contemporary wire-frame tables and clean line sofas.

VIDEO GAMING

For the gamer who has everything, a Limited Edition Gold PlayStation (£249.99) is available exclusively at Argos this season. It’s the first time Sony has offered consumers a sleek, new gold console to match its gold controllers, and is bound to be a ‘must-have’ for all style-conscious gamers. Tipped to be Nintendo’s best-selling console ever, the Nintendo Switch (£279.99) is hot property. Available in grey and neon, the portable console allows you to play anywhere and switch between TV and handheld mode.

Top games this season include ‘Cars 3: Driven to Win’ (£49.99) from Warner Bros – a world-class competitive racing game that features beloved characters from the upcoming Disney Pixar Cars 3 film, and the LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack (from £54.99) is all players need to begin their ‘toys to life’ experience. And Injustice 2 (£44.99), the super-powered sequel to the hit game Injustice: Gods Among Us.

TECHNOLOGY

The Parrot Disco drone (£779.99) is the first fixed-wing drone that reaches speeds up to 50 mph and allows you to see the world from a whole new angle with Parrot Cockpitglasses, an included FPV headset designed to put you in the virtual cockpit. The Disco’s little brother, Parrot Mambo (£79.99) is a small and robust Minidrone for the beginner and experienced pilot alike. With two connected accessories, you can extend your playing fun with the cannon to shoot lightweight plastic balls or attach the grabber to collect and transport small objects.

Our big, noisy, brilliant, brands in audio continue to be Bose, Beats, Marshall and Sony but for something stylish, giftable and great for any home, look no further than Bush Classic for the brand-new turntable on legs (£89.99). TV trends continue to be all about 4K OLED and the LG 55” Smart 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR (£2999) is top of our list. You can call on us for the best range of SIM-free smartphones this season, including the SIM-Free Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (£799.95).

KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Exclusive to Argos, Cookworks is set to make a big impact this year. With an updated new look and feel, it remains the reliable family brand, straightforward in function but now with some stylish design work too. Prices start from £9.99 and customers can choose from 50 new products including a Copper Kettle (£29.99) and 4-Slice Toaster (£24.99).

SMART HOME

Hurrah for Google Home (£129), a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. And it’s smart to stay safe with our newest addition to the smart tech range, the Nest Cam IQ (£299). Brand new, powerful and intelligent, this indoor security camera by Nest offers best-in-class imaging and intelligent features to serve up the most important, actionable information – like knowing your child arrived home safely.

JEWELLERY & WATCHES

Customers looking for an extra special gift this season can choose from our wide range. The Revere collection comprises beautiful, timeless jewellery that will suit all budgets, ranging from elegant classics to bold statement pieces in silver and gold. Earrings, bracelets and necklaces are carefully designed and crafted by jewellery experts to treasure for a lifetime. Prices range from £10 to bigger budget buys and pieces not to be missed include the matching Revere 9CT White Gold 0.50CT Diamond Set Earrings (£399.99), Revere 9CT White Gold 0.50CT Diamond Set Ring (£399.99) and Revere 9CT White Gold 0.50CT Diamond Set Pendant (£399.99).

Moon&Back is a range designed to celebrate family and friendships. Created to be shared, products include bracelets, necklaces and rings. It’s perfect for those loved-ones you’d go to the moon and back for! Prices range from £20 – £50 and ideal gifts include the MMoon&Back Silver Made Up Pink Beads Bracelet (£99.99), Moon&Back Silver Cubic Zirconia Charm Pendant (£39.99) and the Moon&Back Silver Cubic Zirconia Flower Stud Earrings (£24.99).

State of Mine is Argos’s new collection of high quality body jewellery. Designed for those looking for quality and affordable jewellery that celebrates and expresses individuality, they are the perfect treats for yourself or others.

Time-keeping is made easy at Argos this AW, with a wide range of beautiful watches and big brand names that will suit all budgets. For him, you can’t go wrong with the Citizen Chronograph Bracelet Watch (£149.99), Bulova Precisionist Chronograph Watch (£329.99) or Armani Exchange Men’s Watch and Bracelet Set (£149.99). For her, the Citizen Eco-Drive Rose Multi Dial Watch (£139.99), Seksy Swarovski Crystal Watch (£99.99) Juicy Couture Stone Set Watch (£174.99) or Bulova Precisionist Rose Chronograph Watch (£359.99) are sure to put a smile on someone’s face.

PETCARE

Argos’s range of pet accessories give you the perfect excuse to treat your furry friends this season. For festive fun, thePETFACE Xmas Dinner Dog Toy Set (£14.99) features stuffed turkey, carrot and sprouts, designed to give the dog their very own Christmas dinner in a way they can enjoy. For the more active pet, the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster (£19.99)is ideal.

Available online, in-store or on the Argos app, customers can get over 20,000 products how they want, when they want. Argos’s market-leading Fast Track services offer nationwide same-day home delivery for just £3.95, seven days a week, and faster collection in 800+ stores for no charge.

Take a look at the new AW17 collection at www.argos.co.uk.

Follow us at @argos_news. Visit our online media centre at: https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/great-products-and-services/argos

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Argos

Argos is a leading UK digital retailer selling more than 60,000 products through its website, mobile channels, 850+ stores and over the telephone. Argos is the UK’s number one toy retailer and a market leader in homeware and electrical products.

Argos.co.uk is the UK’s third most visited website, with around a billion hits a year. More than half of Argos sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in stores each year. Its market-leading same-day Fast Track delivery service is available across more than 90% of UK postcodes, seven days a week, and Fast Track Collection offers free-of-charge pick up from any store in as little as 60 seconds.

Argos is part of the Sainsbury’s Group, one of the UK’s biggest retailers of food, general merchandise, clothing and financial services through the Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat brands. J Sainsbury plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Contact: 
media.relations@argos.co.uk
call 0845 120 4365

Source: Argos

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Argos revealed a 31% overall rise in tennis product sales versus the same period last year

Argos revealed a 31% overall rise in tennis product sales versus the same period last year

 

Milton, Keynes, 2017-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — As Andy Murray departs from this year’s Wimbledon, the nation has a new tennis hero to cheer on and has officially gone crazy for Konta. Leading online retailer Argos has today (13 July 2017) revealed a 31% overall rise in tennis product sales, versus the same period last year

  • Wimbledon fever spreads as tennis racket sales surge by 71 per cent
  • Johanna Konta’s success at the tournament is thought to be a major factor behind the rise in popularity of the sport
  • The Cotswolds sees the largest increase with a massive 176% rise year on year

Tennis rackets saw the largest increase (71%), with tennis balls and a 3D swing analyser also contributing to the overall rise.

Although reigning champion Andy Murray has departed, it seems Brits are being inspired by bookmaker’s favourite, Johanna Konta, as she heads into her semi-final against five time champion Venus Williams today. With her big serve and forehand combination working on-court, she seems to have provided a winning sales formula off-court too.

A regional breakdown reveals that the Cotswolds saw the largest increase at 176%, while the West Midlands, South Wales and Central London also feature in the top five.

Top ten regions across the country:

Region and percentage increase
1. Cotswolds 176%
2. West Midlands 173%
3. South Wales 147%
4. Republic of Ireland 140%
5. Central London South 138%
6. West Yorks & East Lancs 117%
7. South East 114%
8. South West 90%
9. South Midlands 85%
10. Northern Ireland 80%

Bryn Saysell Assistant Sports Buyer, at Argos said: “We always prepare for big sporting moments like Wimbledon and we’re thrilled to be able to help so many people get onto the tennis court this summer.The whole country is getting behind Konta and we hope the popularity continues so we can contribute, in some small way, in finding the next generation of on-court heroes.”

Contact:

+44 (0)845 124 0044

Source: Argos

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Argos releases toy predictions that will dominate Christmas wish lists this year

Argos releases toy predictions that will dominate Christmas wish lists this year

 

Milton, Keynes, 2017-Jun-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Memorable childhood gifts including dolls and LEGO, as well as the latest tech driven toys, look set to dominate Christmas wish lists this year, according to leading UK toy retailer, Argos

It has today (22 June 2017) released its predictions for the toys that will feature in letters to Santa across the country this year. They are:

  • Luvabella
  • Airhogs DR1 Official Race Drone
  • Disney Cars 3 Lightning McQueen
  • Hatchimals & new ColleGGtibles
  • LEGO BOOST
  • Tiny Treasures Twin Set
  • LEGO Friends Sunshine Catamaran
  • PJ Masks Headquarter Playset
  • Transformers: The Last Knight RC Sqweeks
  • Fisher Price ‘Teach n Tag Movi’
  • Paw Patrol Sea Patroller
  • SoundMoovz

Linzi Walker, chief toy buyer for Argos, who has been curating the list with her team since the beginning of the year, said: “This year’s top toys list is a fantastic blend, as toymakers evolve childhood favourites alongside the introduction of newer and more technology-led gifts.

“Dolls will have made Christmas memories for many children and this year is no different. Luvabella is an incredibly lifelike doll, with advanced animated features enabling it to drink milk from a bottle and fall asleep just as a real little one would. And Chad Valley has produced gorgeous twins as an extension of its authentic Tiny Treasures Baby Doll range.

“There are many opportunities for children and parents alike to embrace user-friendly technology this Christmas. LEGO Boost provides everything needed for children to make five different LEGO models that can then be coded using a free app. The Fisher- Price ‘Teach n Tag Movi’ is an interactive play buddy that helps kids learn on the go. And music lovers will love SoundMoovz, an exciting wearable tech toy for all ages where players can create their own beats and rhythms as they move by using Bluetooth-connected bands on their ankles or wrists.”

She added: “Popular on-screen toys are also set to feature, with appearances from Disney’s Cars 3 Lightning McQueen, PJ Masks Headquarter Playset, the Paw Patrol Sea Patroller alongside RC Sqweeks from Transformers: The Last Knight.”

Argos polled more than 1,000 parents of children aged 16 and under about their plans for Christmas 2017. One in seven parents (13 per cent) have already started buying presents for their children and almost a third (29 per cent) are planning to buy gifts for their kids over the summer.

The most popular choice amongst parents this year is a blockbuster gift, with over half (54 per cent) planning on purchasing a ‘gasp out loud’ present alongside a couple of stocking fillers.

Christmas is still set to be a family affair in 2017 and when it comes to ‘padding the pile’, a fifth of parents will be letting the wider family in on their present plans ensuring all bases are covered. And almost a quarter (23 per cent) will be creating a handy Christmas list to help them keep track!

The poll also found that the big kids in the family still enjoy Christmas toys too – 22 per cent of parents say they wish they had received the toys their children get at Christmas. This may explain why they are feeling extra generous this year; the average parent is happy to spend £114 on average on the main present, with parents in the North-East budgeting over £150 for the ultimate Christmas gift.

Contact:

+44 (0)845 124 0044

Source: Argos

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Sainsbury’s announces expansion plans for Argos and Habitat

Sainsbury’s announces expansion plans for Argos and Habitat

 

London, 2017-Apr-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (13 April 2017), Sainsbury’s opens its 50th Argos Digital store in a Sainsbury’s supermarket. The opening marks an important milestone in the retailer’s strategy to be a multi-product, multi-channel retailer, serving customers quickly and conveniently whenever and wherever they want to shop.

  • Plan to transform 60 existing Argos stores to new digital format
  • Sainsbury’s to open 10 further Mini Habitat stores in its supermarkets
  • As 50th Argos Digital store opens in Kiln Lane, Epsom, Surrey

Sainsbury’s has moved rapidly to open 50 Argos Digital stores since the acquisition of Argos and Habitat seven months ago and has committed to opening 250 over three years. Argos also announced today that it plans to transform 60 stand-alone stores to the digital format. This will mean that over a third of the Argos store estate is digital in a year’s time, helping customers benefit from a fast and convenient store experience. Argos digital collection points are also available to customers in 90 Sainsbury’s stores for customers to Click & Collect Argos parcels.

Following the launch of the first Mini Habitat concession in in Nine Elms, London, in October 2016, the seventh Mini Habitat opened today alongside the 50th Argos Digital store at Sainsbury’s Kiln Lane in Epsom, Surrey, giving customers the opportunity to buy Habitat products both in-store and via in-store iPads.  Sainsbury’s also announced it plans to open another 10 Mini Habitats during this financial year, which will help the company to assess the full potential of the Mini Habitat format in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos Chief Executive Officer, John Rogers, said: “The opening of our 50th Argos Digital store just seven months after we acquired the company shows we are moving ahead at pace with our strategy.  Our cutting-edge digital capability is a core strength of our business and our decision to transform 60 Argos stores by March next year moves our strategy on further. Over a third of the store estate will now benefit from cutting-edge digital technology that will improve the customer experience, making shopping faster and more convenient.”

Customers increasingly appreciate the benefits of shopping at both Sainsbury’s and Argos under one roof and there is a clear uplift of one to two per cent on sales from Argos customers shopping for Sainsbury’s food, general merchandise and clothing products. Argos Digital stores located in Sainsbury’s supermarkets that have been open for more than a year are delivering 20 to 30 per cent like-for-like sales growth.

Over half of all Argos sales originate online.  Its leading digital capability is an important differentiator and is key to its future strategy

At over 76,000 sq ft, the flagship store at Kiln Lane is one of the largest in the retailer’s estate and demonstrates how Sainsbury’s is using its space to offer customers choice and convenience, with over 90,000 products and a range of popular services under one roof.  In addition to the new 2,100 sq ft Argos Digital store and the 1,790 sq ft Mini Habitat, the store also boasts the latest Sainsbury’s Food Hall format and the full range of general merchandise and Tu clothing. Carefully chosen concession partners include Timpsons and Sushi Daily.

Contact:

press_office@sainsburys.co.uk
020 7695 7295

Source: Sainsbury’s

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Argos launches world’s first date-stamped unique advert launching every day for 80 days

Argos launches world’s first date-stamped unique advert launching every day for 80 days

 

Milton, Keynes, 2017-Apr-07 — /EPR Retail News/ — This week Argos will launch an ambitious new Spring Summer advertising campaign which no brand has ever done before – the first with a brand new, date-stamped unique advert launching every day for 80 days across 10 consecutive weeks.

Breaking on Friday 7th April, the 80 Days of Argos’ campaign, developed by CHI&Partners, is made up of a series of unique, 10-second spots, celebrating how customers can truly ‘seize today’, every day, with Argos throughout Spring and Summer by using Fast Track delivery.  The market-leading service offers four same-day delivery time slots, including evenings, seven days a week for just £3.95.

Drawing inspiration from real-world events and dates in the nation’s calendar, from the London Marathon to Wimbledon, as well as responding to the Great British weather, the campaign aims to encourage viewers to make the most of each day by getting what they want delivered today, reflecting the wants of the nation.

The campaign will spotlight the top products shoppers can order and receive on the same day with Argos.  These include the new Nintendo Switch, Beats headphones, Sony TVs, Dyson fans and outdoor goods such as bikes, paddling pools and barbecues.

Each new execution will use the products as a focal point to celebrate that day’s date in a visually creative way – such as chattering Furbies, troll dolls having a blow-dry, a TV cinema drive-in and cats typing on laptops – all set against the characteristic ‘white world’ backdrop of previous Argos campaigns.

Dan Elton continued: “It also reflects the people involved in making it happen – innovative, creative and totally customer-focused. I’m very proud of the Argos, CHI and Mindshare teams who have contributed to this campaign.”

“We hope the campaign inspires customers everywhere to seize the day and make the most of the Spring and Summer, whether that’s getting a paddling pool for the kids to enjoy a sunny day, a new TV to watch the Champions League final or a tent for Glastonbury.

Dan Elton continued: “It also reflects the people involved in making it happen – innovative, creative and totally customer-focused. I’m very proud of the Argos, CHI and Mindshare teams who have contributed to this campaign.”
Running across TV, VOD and digital, social media and in-store screens, the campaign bought by Mindshare, marks a TV media first: 80 unique pieces of copy within one campaign all running with a different date called out.

It will be supported by a responsive digital engagement campaign from AllTogetherNow – including an influencer marketing campaign in which social media stars set their fans a series of same-day challenges which can only be achieved using Argos Fast Track.

Yan Elliott, Joint Executive Creative Director at CHI&Partners, said “Argos has something worth shouting about – order something by 6pm and you still get it that day – that’s pretty amazing. So we made a pretty amazing amount of ads to celebrate it. Each one runs for a day – each features a different product. This campaign features everything you might possibly want over the Spring and Summer inspiring you to ‘Get it today’.”

Notes to Editors

Credits

Brand: Argos
Client Name: Dan Elton, Nicki Brown, Becky Desert
Agency: CHI&Partners
ECD: Yan Elliott
CD: Laura Rogers
Creatives: Liz Oakley, Duncan Brooks
Planner: Rebecca Munds, Rob Sandford
Producer: Rick Carter
Production Assistant: Alfie Glover-Short
Business Partner: Gary Simmons
Account Director: Stephanie Leonard
Account Manager: Ciara Burke
Production Company: Friend London
Director: Tim Main and Joe Dixon
Production Company Producer: Richard Fenton
Director of Photography: Denzil Armour Brown
Production Designer: Mark Connell
Production Manager: Duncan Bernard
Facility Production Company: Nordic Productions
Facility Producer: Greta Kleinė
Editing: Cut and Run
Editor: Sam Jones
Post-Production: Big Buoy
Flame Artist: Jim Allen
Post Producer: Barny Wright
Sound Studio: Jungle Studios
Sound Design: Jim Griffin
Sound Design Assistant: Nathan Kiff
Voiceover: Miquita Oliver
Media Agency: Mindshare
Media Planner(s): Mark Baschnonga & Jenny Dolan
Social & Content Agency: AllTogetherNow
Managing Director: Steve Parker
Associate Director: Jason Andrews

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.
Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year.

About CHI&Partners

CHI&Partners is a UK-based advertising agency. Founded in 2001, the agency is listed in the Sunday Times’ Top Track 250 and International Track 200 as the UK’s fastest-growing privately-owned ad agency both within the UK and internationally. CHI&Partners has offices spanning New York, Canada and Asia as well as Europe – working with large domestic and international clients including Argos, British Gas, Carphone Warehouse, Diageo, GSK, Lexus, News UK, Royal Bank of Scotland, Samsung, TalkTalk and Travelodge. CHI&Partners is a partner in The&Partnership.

About AllTogetherNow

AllTogetherNow is more than just a content agency. Built on the idea that together is better, AllTogetherNow is a unique, multi-service agency delivering exceptional creative production, social strategy, media buying and exclusive analytics solutions in one unified, responsive team. AllTogetherNow offers mass exposure as well as deep, targeted audience engagement, in real-time – a model which helped the agency win Golds awards at the 2015 & 2016 International Content Marketing Awards. AllTogetherNow is a partner in The&Partnership.

About The&Partnership

The&Partnership is an independent agency holding company where the majority owners are the founders and partners of the individual businesses, sharing one bottom line. The&Partnership comprises ten different communication businesses across four continents, with over 1,500 people,  spanning ten disciplines from advertising to design, CRM, media, data, analytics, PR and social – with digital at the core of all its businesses. The&Partnership is backed by WPP, the world’s largest communications agency network, which is both a partner and a significant minority shareholder.

Contact:
The Argos Press Office
CHI&Partners
media.relations@argos.co.uk
stephanie.nicolaides@theandpartnership.com
0845 120 4365
07849 031 073

Source: Argos

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Adore by Abbey Clancy Spring/Summer 2017 jewellery collection launches exclusively at Argos

Milton Keynes, UK, 2017-Feb-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Abbey Clancy has launched her Spring/Summer 17 jewellery range, Adore by Abbey Clancy, in collaboration with leading retailer, Argos.

Taking the glamorous world of high-end fashion into eye-catching statement jewellery at high street prices, the collection features beautiful earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces that incorporate dazzling stones into distinctive designs.  Prices range from €44.99 – €89.99.

Collection highlights include:

  • Abbey Clancy Adore rose gold heart twist ring (€31.99): An elegant rose gold colour twisted heart design ring with cubic zirconia stones, it is beautifully detailed and will add glamour to any outfit. Presented in a signature Abbey Clancy box.
  • Abbey Clancy Adore crystal earring set (€54.99): This lovely set of three pairs of cubic zirconia earrings are classy and elegant. A perfect gift idea, the set comes beautifully presented in an Abbey Clancy signature box.
  • Abbey Clancy Adore circle bangle (€54.99): A beautiful, silver colour circle bangle featuring cubic zirconia stones, it will add extra glam to any outfit. Presented in a signature Abbey Clancy box

· Abbey Clancy Adore ball-drop earrings (€64.99): These glamorous silver colour ball-drop design earrings feature cubic zirconia stones, adding extra shine to any outfit. Presented in a signature Abbey Clancy box.

· Abbey Clancy Adore Rose Gold Double Heart Necklace (€37.99): This lovely rose gold colour heart drop necklace features a delicate cubic zirconia design. The necklace itself is a cable chain of 44cm (17.32″) with a 5cm (1.96″) extender. Beautifully presented in an Abbey Clancy signature box.

Abbey Clancy said: “I’ve always loved jewellery so it’s really exciting to have my own range. It was important for me to have a collection that really reflects my style and personality, and it’s been great fun. With jewellery that can take you from day to night, or something a little more eye-catching for an occasion, these pieces really are the perfect treat for yourself or someone special. I hope everyone enjoys wearing them as much as I do!”

Sarah Filippardos, Head of Jewellery at Argos, said: “We’re so excited to launch the latest Adore by Abbey Clancy collection. As a model and mum who is known for her style and personality, Abbey’s designs really bring these elements to life across the range. They’re also perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day gifts – and with availability in store and online, you won’t have to wait long at all to get your hands on them!”

The ‘Adore by Abbey Clancy’ collection, exclusive to Argos, is now available in-store or online at www.argos.ie

For news, images and information, visit our online media centre at:
http://homeretailgroup.pressarea.com/

Follow the press office team on Twitter – @ArgosIreland_PR

For further information and any imagery, please contact aoife.sweeney@argos.co.uk

Source: Argos

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Argos reports 127% sales increase for Philips Hue

Milton Keynes, UK, 2017-Feb-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — RBS Six Nations kicks off this Saturday and Argos today (02/02/2017) reports a staggering 127 per cent increase in sales across its Philips hue lighting range last week as sports fans get set for a more immersive rugby experience at home.

Philips Hue adds a heightened layer to the sports experience, enveloping viewers in the onscreen action by enabling the lighting to match a team’s colours or by flashing in a team’s colours when they score a try, using apps like IFTTT. Up to 16 million colours are available, meaning those cheering for England can choose bright white, trys for Wales can be set up to flash red, Ireland can turn green and Scotland, France and Italy can also correlate to their own team colours.

The search term ‘hue’ was also up 460 per cent on the Argos website last week* with the Colour bulb B22 Set being the top selling Philips hue product, closely followed by the E27 single colour bulb and the Light strips.

“Philips Hue enhances sports, movies, TV and gaming, using smart lighting to make it feel more exciting or dramatic. With RBS Six Nations kicking off this weekend, our customers are making the most of their home tech to add the drama and adrenaline, similar to the real games.” said Kelly Phillips, Smart Home Buyer at Argos.

Argos’s full range of Philips hue lighting can be found at http://www.argos.co.uk/search/philips-hue/

*Comparing the period of 8 Jan’17-14 Jan to 15 Jan ’17-21 Jan ‘17 to the period of 22 Jan ’17-28 Jan ’17 to 15 Jan ’17-21 Jan ‘17

About Philips Hue

Philips Hue is the world’s leading connected lighting system for the home. With Philips Hue you can control light using your smart device to transform your everyday lighting into an extraordinary experience. Connected home lighting offers infinite possibilities for playing with colours or experimenting with shades of white. Through a vibrant developer program there are more than 600 third-party apps for Philips Hue. The system is transforming how light is used in and around the home to stimulate your senses, light your moments and helps to provide peace of mind when away from home.

From the launch of Philips Hue in October 2012, Philips Lighting has encouraged other companies to develop devices, apps and systems that interoperate with the system. From third-party apps and wearable technology, to internet services and connected home products; Philips Hue goes beyond illumination to provide more than just light – to deliver new experiences where the only limit is your imagination. For more information, please visit www.meethue.com

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year. Argos offers customers market leading delivery and collection services, including Check & Reserve, Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection which make customers’ lives easier, every day.

Sainsbury’s Argos is part of J Sainsbury plc, a leading retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise and owner of Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what the company does since 1869. J Sainsbury plc employs 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland whose strong culture and values are integral to driving its success – now and in the future. Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop.

Contact:
Argos press office
media.relations@argos.co.uk
0845 120 4365.

Follow the press office team on Twitter –  @Argos_news

Source: Argos

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Argos unveils latest Spring/Summer 2017 collection

Milton Keynes, UK, 2017-Feb-06 — /EPR Retail News/ —

Purity

This collection is inspired by both Japanese and Scandinavian design principles which embody simple, subtle and calm living. Functional and adaptable design, organic materials and intricate detailing are all qualities that have been captured within this trend. Tactile finishes and natural textures create a de-cluttered, tranquil space which creates a considered, balanced energy for the home. Tones of soothing blue and a highlight of coral-tinted red tones encompass this trend, creating a harmonious colour combination with a base of soft greys. A new print has been designed in-house for this trend, titled ‘Honesty’, an inky blue floral design, is available across bedding, cushions, lighting and curtains.

Furniture pieces are understated and simple in form, the Heart of House Oakington Table comes with four chairs (£499.99) is functional and adaptable to customers’ constantly evolving lifestyles. The pale blonde wood tones captured throughout give a nod to natural materials and keep this trend warm against the textured ceramics and textiles.

Textiles are low key but engagingly intricate. Structured pleats seen on the Heart of House Origami cushion (£11.99) and micro-geometric prints seen on the Collection 12 Piece Purity Dinner Set (£27.99) encapsulate the Purity trend.

Partly transparent and clouded semi opaque glass along with embossed ceramics seen on the Heart of House Textured Storage Canisters (£19.99)  are key for this trend and complement the simple furniture forms and well balanced textiles.

Artisan

The Artisan trend embraces our desire to connect with nature by taking time out and living off-grid. The appreciation of nature, the outdoors and a simpler way of life embodies this trend with a conscious focus on honest material choices, functionality and considered decoration. A rich earthy fruit and vegetable colour palette is lightened for the Spring Summer season via the introduction of flat chalky greens.

Textiles are comfortable and casual and feature. Stand out items from the Artisan collection include a natural bracken and fern leaf print cushion from Heart of House (£12.99) along with a Heart of House Freddie the Fox cushion (12.99). These woodland references paired with russet orange tones create a humble and homely feel.

Furniture items are rustic, authentic and characterful, perfectly illustrated by the new Heart of House Kent Sideboard in Soft Grey (£364.99)

Textured wood, recycled glass and handmade ceramics are paired with woven chunky knits provoking a back to basics feeling with a sense of relaxed elegance.

Discovery

The Discovery trend takes inspiration from cultures around the world and encapsulates the importance of health, happiness and wellbeing. This global inspired collection embraces a blend of African and South American influences to capture a sense of global tribalism.

This trend mixes both formal and informal style together and the fusion of design influences and use of contrasting pattern combinations creates a collection, which is inspiring, unique and confident.

A refreshing, yet eclectic colour palette runs through this trend, with teal accents and earthy tones working to capture a laid back yet social environment.  A stand out piece from this collection is the Heart of House Discovery Bedding set (£42.99) which has an irresistible woven blue striped design that will create distinct style in your bedroom.

Furniture pieces feature dark, rich tones, pops of metallic and polished metals. The new dark Melford range from Heart of House is created from a mix of solid acacia and pine, the Solid Wood Sideboard (£259.99) has a modern handleless design and plenty of storage space inside.

Natural materials and handcrafted pieces work together with textiles that are native in style, featuring monochrome prints and tribal patterns. Standout items from the collection are the Heart of House Ebury Wall Mirror (£49.99), the Heart of House Kasbah Elephant cushion (£11.99) and the Collection Ceres Wire Pendent gold light (£39.99).

Summer House

The Summer House trend is serene, feminine, relaxed and informal. The soft colour palette features a pale base of pure white, soft grey and muted pastels. This sits alongside accent floral prints and simple elegant furniture which when combined, create a calming summer feeling in the home.

The furniture adopts a timeless, elegant style and the upholstery is comfortable and smart, using refined material choices for a soft clean look. The Heart of House Sherbourne sofa (£689.99) has been designed for comfort as well as style.

Likewise the Harper furniture range from Heart of House, featuring a Harper 3 Door 3 Drawer Sideboard (£429.99) and Harper 2 Drawer Coffee Table (£269.99), is inspired by classic French styling and whilst elegant and feminine, is made from solid pine wood and fully assembled so is hardy and practical.

Textiles are delicate and modern, with a key print for this trend being the ‘Emily.’ The Heart of House Emily Bedding set (£32.99) is a 10% cotton sateen with a delicate edging. Linens, cashmere, crochet and embroidery details paired with hand drawn spring garden floral prints, simple ticking stripes and illustrative calligraphy embody the Summer House trend. Further showcased perfectly by the Heart of House Rene Rabbit Cushion (£12.99), Heart of House Autumn Tufted and Looped Rug (£69.99) and the Heart of House Happiness Cushion (12.99).

Alexei Cowan, Head of Trends at Argos, said: “We want to provide our customers with homewares that are both stylish and trend-led but that can withstand the demands of daily family life. So when designing and searching for new products for the range, both the look and material of products are front of mind for us. We’ve made some stylish and affordable additions to the range this season with detailed designs to bring to life the high quality of the range.

My personal favorite trend this Spring/Summer is the Purity trend, evolved from the incredible popular Scandinavian inspired trends last year. The Purity trend references both Japanese and Scandinavian design principles – keeping it simple, subtle, calm and natural. The desire to eliminate clutter and introduce a considered, balanced energy to the home sets the tone for this trend.”

Take a look at the new Spring/Summer 2017 collection from Argos, available online at www.argos.co.uk, in-store or on the Argos app. Customers can get over 20,000 products how they want, when they want, with free Fast Track collection in-store, same-day Fast Track delivery for just £3.95, or next or named day delivery on furniture and larger items.

Contact:
Argos press office
media.relations@argos.co.uk
0845 120 4365.

Follow the press office team on Twitter –  @Argos_news

Source: Argos

 

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Argos launches new Spring/Summer 17 range

Milton Keynes, UK, 2017-Jan-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Get set for the new season with the launch of Argos’s new Spring/Summer 17 range available from tomorrow (Saturday 21 January 2017).  It showcases thousands of new products and top brands that are sure to put a spring in the step of shoppers.

Andy McClelland, Operations Manager at Argos Republic of Ireland, said: “Whether you’re on a fitness drive, refreshing the home, planning a spring clean, or simply looking for gift ideas, we have something new for everybody.  And bargain-hunters can take advantage of over 600 of Argos’s very best ‘WOW’ deals from top brands like Dyson, Silentnight and Phillips.

“You can get your hands on our new range in a flash.  Simply check and reserve your items on argos.ie with free collection in any of our 40 stores nationwide.”

HOME & FURNITURE

Spring/Summer homewares see a flattering mix of trends for the home, from relaxed and Scandi-inspired simple living, to upbeat and colorful statement pieces.  And they don’t have to cost the earth.

New from Heart of House, only available at Argos, is the luxurious 400 Thread Count Bedding Range (€17.49 – €79.99), available in a beautiful mix of on-trend, neutral tones.  Or get a splash of colour with new in-house designed sets offering excellent value for money – the Phoebe Twin Pack (from €39.99) includes two bedding sets featuring fashionable floral patterns.

For the bathroom, new Bamboo accessories from The Collection include the Bathroom Bench (€59.99) and Ladder Shelf (€94.99).  And with Spring all about de-cluttering, The Collection’s new Wire Storage Units (from €28.99) provide a stylish and practical storage solution.

When those April showers subside and you’re ready to head outside, get the garden ready with Heart of House’s new Rio garden range. Combining soft cushioned seating with a stylish grey rattan effect design, the range is perfect for outdoor entertaining whatever the size and shape of your space. Choose from a Bistro set (€399.99), 6 Seater Dining Set (€1129.99) and Corner Dining Set (€1199.99).

SPORTS & FITNESS
Customers can choose from over 142 stylish and affordable fitness items in the Opti range, exclusive to Argos.  From cardio equipment, weights and benches to smaller fitness aids, there is something for all levels. The Opti 2KG Neoprene Dumbbells are just €15.99 for two and come in a choice of vibrant colors. For any pro Hoola-Hoopas, there’s an Opti Weighted Hoola Hoop 2KG at just €23.99.

Garmin has introduced a new range of activity trackers specifically for children, offering the perfect way to get kids outdoors this season. The Garmin Vivofit is designed by children, swim-friendly and the parent-controlled app lets you motivate your kids with rewards. Customisable with the child’s name, it is also designed to motivate kids to complete tasks such as brushing their teeth and homework. The Vivofit is available in ‘Broken Lava’ red and ‘Real Flower’ floral and is just €109.99 available only at Argos.

TECHNOLOGY

‘Re-techorate’ this Spring with big brands and market-beating prices.  At just €269.99, the Bush E4X 5.5” Android Smartphone features a full HD lamination screen, selfie camera and Qualcomm octo-core processor boosted by 4GB of RAM / 64GB of internal storage.

The world’s ‘thinnest and lightest 2-in-1’ Lenovo Yoga Book 10 in grey or gold (€629.99) is the slickest looking tablet on the market….that you can actually write on. Weighing just 690g and as thin as 4.05mm, it makes work or play on-the-go effortlessly easy[1].

Keeping a watchful eye on the home just got simpler with Nest’s brand new outdoor smart security camera (€209.99).  It’s weatherproof and plugs into the mains so it works come rain or shine. An ‘activity alert’ on your smartphone means you can listen in or talk back through your phone.

No longer do you have to “shake it like a Polaroid picture!” The Polaroid Snap Touch (€209.99) instant digital camera allows you to snap, print, and share all of your favorite photos instantly with app-driven creative and Bluetooth connectivity. Available in white, black, red and purple, they are bold, beautiful and brilliant too.

Lastly, without droning on, the Parrot Disco (€1494.98) is the first fixed-wing drone that reaches speeds of up to 50mph and the new FPV headset, the ‘Parrot Cockpitglasses’, are designed to put you in the cockpit of your drone. Safe flying!

JEWELLERY & WATCHES

New to Argos is Armani Exchange, one of the UK’s leading fashion watch brands, with a choice of over 30 styles. Don’t miss the Armani Exchange Men’s Gold Bracelet Watch (€199.99) or the Armani Exchange Ladies Rose Gold Watch (€189.99). For those on a budget, the Rotary’s Purple Strap Watch (€109.99) and the Casio Black and Gold Combi Watch (€64.99) are ideal.

There are also exciting new jewellery launches across men, body jewellery and a cute kids’ collection featuring beaded charms and boxed sets – so choice aplenty whatever you’re after and whoever it may be for. The girls Silver Earring and Pendant set (€39.99) and men’s boxed Knot Cufflinks (€30.99) are sure to prove popular.

And if that’s not enough, Abbey Clancy has collaborated exclusively with Argos on the Adore by Abbey Clancy jewellery range.  Favourites include the Gold Ring with Pink Crystals (€54.99), a Gold and Crystal Earring set (€54.99) and Gold Pendant with Pink and Clear Crystals (€54.99).

TOYS

This season sees new takes on some of the most popular toys, with the launch of the Design A Friend Ava Doll (€26.99), a brand new Tiny Treasures doll (€54.99) and a new addition to last year’s hottest Christmas toy, the Hatchimal Burtle (€79.99).

Boys are in for a treat with the latest toys and products from the Lego Batman (prices from €2.99 for a mini figure) and Power Rangers movies (from €12.99). And the Pokemon craze shows no sign of slowing down, with a raft of new Pokemon Trading Cards and toys hitting the shelves.

In addition, Argos welcomes back its hugely popular Design-A-Bear range from Chad Valley with cute new characters and a host of accessories to choose from. The exciting, three step design allows youngsters to choose their bear, outfit and accessory set for a total price of just €25.99.

PERSONAL CARE

Beautifying has never been more gratifying, with the latest Andrew Barton range offering age-defying benefits. Combining super-ionic technology with magnesium oil-infused ceramics for smooth shine-enhancing, younger looking results, the Super Ionic Age-Defying Air Brush (€39.99) is our top pick.

The new Wahl total beard trimmer kit (€54.99) has a 180 minute run time, one minute quick charge function for those mornings when you’re against the clock, and 15 attachments.

And for smooth styling in a flash, the Remington CB7401 Keratin Radiance Sleek & Smooth Brush (€40.99) makes hair look super healthy and shiny. Infused with Keratin and anti-static coating, it’s a perfect tool for both everyday and on-the-go styling.

Take a look at the new Spring/Summer 2017 collection from Argos at www.argos.ie  available to customers from Saturday 21 January 2017.

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year. Argos offers customers market leading delivery and collection services, including Check & Reserve, Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection which make customers’ lives easier, every day.

Sainsbury’s Argos is part of J Sainsbury plc, a leading retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise and owner of Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what the company does since 1869. J Sainsbury plc employs 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland whose strong culture and values are integral to driving its success – now and in the future. Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop.

Contact:
Argos Press Office
0845 120 4365
email: media.relations@argos.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter at @argos_PR

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Argos launches new Spring/Summer 17 range

 

Source: Argos

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Argos’ Furby Connect Parents Survival Guide and Furbish Dictionary available to download

  • Parents’ guide created for Furby Connect
  • Furbish dictionary available for owners to brush up on the lingo

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Dec-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Still going strong after almost a decade in the toy business, the latest Furby – Furby Connect – is the cleverest one yet. Lauded by many as one of the top toys for this Christmas, there may be a little reluctance to invite one into the home, after Furbies of Christmas past wreaked havoc with constant mutterings and an inability to ever stop! But with continued popularity amongst children and a sure fire Christmas wish list hit, the UK’s biggest toy retailer has created some essential downloads to help parents get to grips with the furry critters!

Aimed at helping parents become accustomed with their new Furby Connected friend, Argos’ “Parents’ Guide” is packed full of handy and practical tips to get the very most out of this incredibly interactive plaything – even before Santa has made his delivery. Plus, there’s also an easy-to-understand-Furbish dictionary so parents can wow their kids with their fluency on Christmas Day.

The new Furby Connect is a sensor-laden toy that interacts with its owner through sounds and movement, as well as over 100 different LED-powered eye expressions. When connected via Bluetooth, the Furby World app offers an entirely new play pattern as the physical toy interacts with the on-screen Furblings. Inside this constantly updated and expanding app-driven world is a huge variety of content including games and videos.

Argos’ Furby Connect Parents Survival Guide and Furbish Dictionary are both available to download now, free of charge.

Available in purple, blue, orange, teal and pink, Furby Connect is available in Argos stores and at www.argos.co.uk for £79.99 (price correct at time of issue).

*help in Furbish

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year. Argos offers customers market leading delivery and collection services, including Check & Reserve, Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection which make customers’ lives easier, every day.

Sainsbury’s Argos is part of J Sainsbury plc, a leading retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise and owner of Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what the company does since 1869. J Sainsbury plc employs 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland whose strong culture and values are integral to driving its success – now and in the future. Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop.

For further information, please contact the team at Playtime PR:

Peter Jenkinson
peter@playtimepr.com
07504 023373

Lesley Singleton
Lesley@playtimepr.com
01908 299 088/07852 451 093

Emma Salt
PR manager at Argos
emma.salt@argos.co.uk
01908 296863

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Argos’ Furby Connect Parents Survival Guide and Furbish Dictionary available to download
Argos’ Furby Connect Parents Survival Guide and Furbish Dictionary available to download

 

Source: Argos

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Argos kicks off Black Friday bonanza on November 18 through 28

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Nov-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Argos’ eagerly anticipated Black Friday bonanza will kick-off on Friday 18 November and will run for 13 consecutive days through Cyber Monday.

The leading retailer will once again offer deals galore on thousands of products across the whole period as UK shoppers look to help themselves to a wealth of bargains in the run-up to Christmas.

Falling on November 25, Black Friday, the most popular day in the shopping calendar, marks the serious start of the festive shopping season as customers take advantage of the bargains available for a little self-gifting and adopt a ‘one for you, one for me’ state of mind.

Cyber Monday (November 28) also continues to be an important day for online shopping and falls on pay day for many people this year.

Argos expects Black Friday to be a digital day again this year, after its website received around 12 million visits on the day itself in 2015 with customers making a staggering 18 transactions a second during peak trading periods.

Over 70 per cent of all visits were from mobile and tablet devices and a quarter of total online sales were fulfilled via the newly introduced Fast Track Same-Day Delivery and Fast Track In-Store Collection services, allowing shoppers to get hold of their deals at a time to suit them.

Whilst the deals remain a closely guarded secret, Argos insists that there will be some sizable discounts available on a range of technology, toys, consumer electronics and domestic appliances.

John Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Sainsbury’s Argos, said: “Last year’s Black Friday was the biggest and most successful shopping day ever for Argos.

“We have been busy preparing for the Black Friday period for many months now, making sure our website, stores and distribution operations are all geared up in anticipation of high levels of demand for our great range of products.

“Without doubt Black Friday and Cyber Monday have changed how people shop for Christmas in the past few years but we remain focused on making shopping easy and convenient for customers, so they can get a great deal, whether they choose to shop with us in store or online, or a combination of the two.”

Argos has over 800 stores across the UK and Ireland as well as almost 30 stores in Sainsbury’s supermarkets and another 30 digital collection points in Sainsbury’s stores.

Argos has recruited an additional 10,000 seasonal workers to help serve millions of customers across the festive period. On Black Friday itself, they will be joined by hundreds of head office workers helping out on the shop floor.

To get the deals and top products out to stores and customers’ homes, Argos’ 11 enormous distribution centres covering a total of 5.4 million square feet of floor space will have 6,100 warehouse workers and 1,000 delivery drivers, supported by 3,000 Fast Track drivers based at local stores.

High-demand products being ferried across the UK this Christmas using a fleet of 1,800 lorries and Fast Track vans include wearable tech such as Fitbit, Virtual Reality Headsets, 4K & LED TVs, X-boxes with games such as FIFA 17, and Amazon Fire Sticks, as well as a thousands of the most popular toys including Star Wars, Hatchimals, Lego and Tiny Treasures.

Same-day Fast Track delivery slots will be offered to customers on a first-come, first-served basis with subsequent days’ slots offered once Black Friday’s delivery schedules are full.

This year Argos expects to see a repeat of last year’s shopping patterns as customers stayed up to shop into the small hours to snap up the best deals as soon as they launched. Ten orders per second were processed between 1am and 2am (340,000 digital visits). Early bird shoppers were gaming and tech fans.

By 9 am, digital channels had already seen 3.2 million visits and breakfast shoppers were after computing bargains, especially laptops. Peak hour was 8am to 9am with nearly one million visits.

Across the full week including Black Friday, customers visited Argos digital channels over 42 million times.

Notes to Editors:

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year. Argos offers customers market leading delivery and collection services, including Check & Reserve, Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection which make customers’ lives easier, every day.

Sainsbury’s Argos is part of J Sainsbury plc, a leading retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise and owner of Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what the company does since 1869. J Sainsbury plc employs 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland whose strong culture and values are integral to driving its success – now and in the future. Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop.

For more information, please contact the Argos Press Office on 0845 120 4365 or email: media.relations@argos.co.uk Follow us on Twitter at @argos_PR

Source: Argos

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Argos launches new advertising campaign featuring speeding yetis delivering Christmas goods

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Nov-07 — /EPR Retail News/ — Argos has turned to speed, adrenaline and excitement for its 2016 Christmas advertising campaign, following last year’s extreme snowboarding ‘Just Can’t Wait for Christmas’ spot. This evening, the retailer will unveil another high-octane spectacular – featuring five eight-foot tall, neon yetis, hurtling through the streets of a snowy town on ice-skates to deliver Christmas goods at extraordinary speed.

Created by CHI&Partners and directed by Henry Scholfield through Caviar, the ‘Christmas Yetis’ advert is a whirlwind of excitement, energy and colour, reflecting the market-leading speed of Argos’ same day Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection services. Set against an exclusive adaptation by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra of “What’s This?”, the spot creates a palpable sense of festive excitement and anticipation.

Stephen Vowles, marketing director at Argos, said: “What we love about this fun, fast-paced campaign is that it beautifully captures the spirit of excitement and anticipation surrounding Christmas. Fun loving and friendly, these larger-than-life, speeding yetis colourfully bring to life the role that Argos hopes to play in the Christmases of families nationwide this Christmas – and the skill, speed and precision that make us market leaders, with our super-speedy, same day Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection services.”

The advert was shot in camera on a purpose-built skating track in the picturesque centre of Warsaw, and stars five semi-professional ice skaters – with more than a century’s experience collectively – as the yetis. Based on the folklore that yetis move twice as fast as the average human, the Argos yetis leap and carve round corners like lightning on their skates – collecting, playing with and delivering Argos’ top products as they go, from Beats headphones, Virtual Reality headsets and Dyson vacuum cleaners to Fitbit, GoPro and Furby products.

A team of award-winning special effects experts from Animated Extras built the hyper-realistic yetis (each costing £30,000 to create) over a period of three months at the world-famous Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England. The team included experts who have previously worked to develop state-of-the-art costumes, props, animatronics and prosthetics for Hollywood movies and British TV shows, including James Bond, Avengers, Cinderella, Jupiter Ascending, Into the Woods and Cloud Atlas.

Inside the yetis are Peter Hallam (in orange), twice British Figure Skating Champion and holder of five international Gold medals as well as two silver medals at the Senior British Figure Skating Championships. The remaining blue, pink, green and purple yetis are played by George Southall (in blue), who is recognised as one of the best amateur freestyle skaters in the UK; professional Adrian Jack (in pink), a principal in Disney on Ice; and professional ice hockey players Brad Slade (in green) and Kevin McGlynn (in purple).

The campaign will break on TV today, and will be supported by print, video-on-demand, paid digital, social content and appearances of the Yetis in public in a bid to fast track the anticipation and excitement of Christmas for Britons with an in-store social competition.

Jim Bolton, deputy executive creative director at CHI&Partners, said: “This campaign brings out the excited Christmas-Eve kid in all of us who just can’t get to sleep, they’re so eager for the big day to arrive. We hope our loveable yetis bring excitement to thousands of British households this Christmas – reminding us of the joyous, fun-filled experience the festive season should be.”

The campaign follows Argos’ 2015 spot ‘Just Can’t Wait for Christmas’, in which skiing and snowboarding champions showcased their speed and skill on a mountainside in Chile’s Valle Nevado.

Notes to editors

Argos now offers same day delivery and faster in-store collection with Fast Track.

You can now buy online and get your order delivered the same day for £3.95, 7 days a week, with Fast Track Delivery. You can also buy online and collect from our dedicated Fast Track counters in-store.

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year. Argos offers customers market leading delivery and collection services, including Check & Reserve, Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection which make customers’ lives easier, every day.

Sainsbury’s Argos is part of J Sainsbury plc, a leading retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise and owner of Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what the company does since 1869. J Sainsbury plc employs 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland whose strong culture and values are integral to driving its success – now and in the future. Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop.

CHI&Partners is a UK-based advertising agency. Founded in 2001, the agency is listed in the Sunday Times’ Top Track 250 and International Track 200 as the UK’s fastest-growing privately-owned ad agency both within the UK and internationally, and was this year named the UK’s most awarded independent creative agency at Cannes Lions.

CHI&Partners has offices spanning New York, Canada and Asia as well as Europe – working with large domestic and international clients including Argos, British Gas, Carphone Warehouse, Diageo, GSK, Lexus, News UK, Royal Bank of Scotland, Samsung, TalkTalk and Travelodge. CHI&Partners is a partner in The&Partnership.

The&Partnership is an independent agency holding company where the majority owners are the founders and partners of the individual businesses, sharing one bottom line. A cross-discipline communications group built for today’s complex industry landscape, The&Partnership comprises ten businesses spanning four continents, with 1,500 staff. The group houses agencies specialising in advertising, design, CRM, media planning and buying, data analytics, PR, content and social – with digital at the core of all its businesses.

The&Partnership is backed by WPP, the world’s largest communications agency network, which is both a partner and a significant minority shareholder.

‘Christmas Yetis’ – Credits

Brand: Argos

Agency: CHI&Partners

ECD: Micky Tudor

Creative Director: Jim Bolton

Creatives: Ben Da Costa, Duncan Brooks, Sarah Levitt

Planners: Rebecca Munds & Josh Roth

Producer: Adam Henderson

Business Director: Gary Simmons

Account Director: Stephanie Leonard

Account Manager: Nathan Brocklesby

Production Company: Caviar

Director: Henry Scholfield

Producer: Giles Skillicorn

Photographer / Director of Photography: Jallo Faber

Costume: Animated Extras

Editor: James Rose, Cut & Run

Post-Production: Electric Theatre Collective

Producer: Sian Jenkins

VFX Supervisors: Yourick Van Impe

ECD: Micky Tudor, Jonathan Burley

Post Supervisor on Shoot: Angus Wilson

Audio: Sam Robson, 750mph

Music Company: Wake The Town

Voiceover: Miquita Oliver

Media Agency: Mindshare

Social Media Agency: AllTogetherNow

PR Agency: W Communications

For more information please contact the team at W Communications:

Tel: 0207 436 8113
Email: argos@wcommunications.co.uk

Alternatively, please contact the Argos Press Office on 0845 120 4365 or email: media.relations@argos.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter at @argos_PR.

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Argos launches new advertising campaign featuring speeding yetis delivering Christmas goods
Argos launches new advertising campaign featuring speeding yetis delivering Christmas goods

 

Source: Argos

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Argos opens ‘Pop-Up’ Store at Milton Keynes’ biggest shopping centre, centre:mk

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Oct-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — Christmas has come early for shoppers at centre:mk thanks to Argos’ latest innovative digital offering.

Visitors to Milton Keynes’ biggest shopping centre will come face to face with a revolutionary Argos ‘Pop-Up’ Store in the centre of the mall, which offers choice, value and convenience for customers.

Technological enhancements means products can be supplied from local stores so that bargain hunters can order gifts, continue with their shopping and then return to pick them up within as little as an hour.

Alternatively if their hands are full, they have limited time or the items are too heavy to carry, products can be delivered to a customer’s home or work address using Argos’ award-winning Fast Track delivery service.

The store, measuring 400sqft, will be at the heart of the centre for just 12 weeks with six million shoppers anticipated during this time.

Steve Carson, Argos’ Director of Retail and Customer Operations, said: “As a leading local employer and digital retailer we wanted to give something back to the City and its shoppers.

“By combining hourly drop-offs of products from our Milton Keynes Stores and online collection point functionality, this pioneering concept will enable us to be even more convenient, helping put a smile on the faces of our customers in the run up to Christmas.”

Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at centre:mk, added: “We are delighted to welcome one of the UK’s most popular high street retailers to centre:mk.

“The Argos ‘Pop-Up’ is a fantastic addition to centre:mk’s already strong and diverse retail offer. The combination of innovation, convenience and the Argos brand is sure to be a hit with our visitors, particularly during our peak Christmas trading season.”

Argos’ lease on the space runs until 15 January 2017.

Argos Press Office:
0845 120 4365
email: media.relations@argos.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter at @argos_pr

Source: Argos

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Argos to hire over 10,000 seasonal workers for the busy holiday season

Argos to hire over 10,000 seasonal workers for the busy holiday season
Argos to hire over 10,000 seasonal workers for the busy holiday season

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Oct-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading digital high street retailer Argos is on the look-out for over 10,000 seasonal workers to help light up Christmas for the millions of customers who will shop with them this festive period.

Customer advisors and stock assistants are being sought to support over 840 Argos stores to meet customer demand for toys, home products, video games, technology, sports and other popular Christmas gifts.

The number includes Fast Track drivers who will need great customer service skills to support Argos’ store to customer door distribution service, which is highly popular with shoppers who appreciate the certainty of same-day delivery in convenient time slots.

Initial contracts for all vacancies are around three to four months, with the potential for some roles to become permanent at the end of the season, where vacancies exist. Recruits will be offered a minimum of 10 hours per week (minimum of six hours for weekend staff).

Roles are available at stores across the United Kingdom.

Steve Carson, Director of Retail and Customer Operations, at Argos said: “The Christmas period is naturally an extremely busy and exciting time of year for Argos and our ability to offer more than 60,000 products for the whole family is why millions of people shop with us over the festive season.

“Job creation is one of the most important contributions we make to the communities in which we serve and we are committed to maintaining the friendly, personal service we are known for, whether customers are shopping in-store or buying online for home delivery.

“The work is fast-paced, varied and rewarding with the potential to learn a whole set of new skills. Many in the past have gone on to develop their career with us and progress rather rapidly to run a team, department or even store, helping to drive sales and deliver great customer service.”

Argos serves around 120 million customer transactions throughout its store network every year, with 95 per cent of the population living less than 10 miles from an Argos store.

Vacancies are available nationwide:

Country:

England
8,436

Scotland
878

Wales
531

Northern Ireland
381

(Approximate number of vacancies)

New team members will receive competitive rates of pay and immediate benefits of 10 per cent staff discount at Argos from day one. The ‘My Benefits’ scheme gives all staff exclusive savings and local discounts both online and in a variety of other high street retailers.

Successful applicants can gain valuable and transferable skills via Argos’ Open Door training system. This enables them to work through retail training modules at work, on the move or from the comfort of their own home using their smartphone, tablet or PC.

Interested candidates can apply for all roles at www.argos.careers/xmas

Notes to Editors

About Argos

Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 60,000 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 120m customer transactions a year through its stores and over 975 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2016.  Customers can take advantage of Argos’ convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 842 stores and concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

For more information or case studies, please contact:

Argos Press Office
0845 120 4365
email: media.relations@argos.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter at @argos_pr

Source: Argos

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Argos: National Fitness Day 2016 saw more people get moving than ever before

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Sep-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — National Fitness Day 2016 saw more people get moving than ever before as over 18,000 events took part across the UK to make 7 September the most active day of the year.

The sixth annual event, organized by not-for-profit health body ukactive and sponsored by leading health and fitness retailer Argos, saw more than 6,000 venues across the UK hold multiple activity events throughout the day.

Thousands of UK gyms and leisure venues threw open their doors to engage the public in free physical activity taster sessions, while Argos celebrated NFD across its 800+ stores with activity operators hosting a range of fun fitness classes including in-store circuits, Body Jam sessions and outdoor workouts.

As ever, NFD saw a huge range of activity options enjoyed by participants of all ages, such as ‘plank offs’, yoga and Pilates classes, treadmill challenges, high-street HIIT classes, dance-offs, mass walks and many more.

The day kicked off with a special launch event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park featuring a number of activity sessions for the local community. Legendary ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell CBE showcased her DDMIX dance fitness class, alongside sessions from Motivate East, Our Parks and Exercise in the City.

Meanwhile, over at the Houses of Parliament, more than 40 MPs including Sports Minister Tracey Crouch tried their hands at hula-hooping, boxing, tai chi, tennis, boccia and samba as part of an outdoor activity taster session from ParkLives.

NFD 2016 participation levels across the country are still being counted, but with more than 18,000 events held nationwide, the final total is expected to reach in excess of 100,000 people.

One of the core drivers of engagement was an explosion of social media activity. NFD 2016 took Twitter by storm and was the UK’s number one trending topic for almost eight hours. Backed by a hive of activity across Facebook and Instagram as well, the total social media reach of NFD 2016 exceeded 49 million users.

The event also made waves across mainstream media, with live TV coverage and dozens of radio broadcasts across the UK on the day taking the total media reach of NFD 2016 to 55 million.

Steven Ward, Executive Director of ukactive said: “National Fitness Day 2016 was our biggest and best event yet and we’re delighted to see the physical activity sector and wider partners such as Argos team up to get the nation moving.

“It’s a fun day with a serious message and the important thing now is to build on this momentum and make serious ground in overcoming the UK’s physical inactivity crisis.

“We’re already working on next year’s event and want to engage more members of the public and our sector to ensure that National Fitness Day in 2017 reaches wider than ever before.”

Amy Whidburn, Argos’ Head of Corporate Responsibility, added: “As a leading health and fitness retailer, our view is that the fun and enjoyment of physical activity can bring a whole host of well-being benefits, and that’s why we were delighted to see so many of our colleagues and customers taking part in National Fitness Day.

“We are passionate about celebrating that fun of fitness and increasing activity levels and we have a whole range of products to help with that.”

About National Fitness Day
National Fitness Day is the biggest and most visible annual celebration of physical activity of the year. It is the day to celebrate the role that physical activity plays across the UK, facilitated by ukactive and previously, the énergie Group, who are the largest and fastest growing fitness franchise company in the UK, and who founded National Fitness Day back in 2011.

Realizing that this is an event that would benefit with participation from the whole sector, énergie graciously ‘gifted’ National Fitness Day to ukactive in 2014. We would like to publicly thank énergie for this and are proud to now be growing the event year on year.

Our aim is always to ensure that National Fitness Day is the most active day of the year. We work with thousands of clubs, parks, leisure centres, gyms and ukactive members who open their doors to offer free exercise sessions to their local communities.

We know the benefits that regular exercise delivers includes a healthier heart, increased wellbeing and a better quality of life. However, many of us find getting fit troubling, it becomes a challenge and it shouldn’t be – that is why National Fitness Day was started.

About ukactive
ukactive is the UK’s leading not-for-profit body for physical activity, working with over 4,000 members and stakeholders across the UK. We champion the fun, enjoyment and benefits of being active. As an organisation, ukactive facilitates big impact partnerships across the public and private sector, supporting partners in delivering their goals around physical activity. We grow and stimulate the value of physical activity to society as a whole – alongside specific sub-sectors where we have developed significant stakeholder relationships inc. social, political, economic, health, consumer, and financial.

ukactive also provides leading research and evaluation, insight and thought leadership, strategic project and stakeholder management, campaigning and promoting best practice for its partners.

About Argos
Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 60,000 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 120m customer transactions a year through its stores and over 975 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2016.  Customers can take advantage of Argos’ convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 842 stores and concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the financial year to February 2016, Argos sales were £4.1 billion and it employed c.30,000 people across the business.

Contact:
tel: 0845 120 4365
email: media.relations@argos.co.uk

Source: Argos

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New Argos digital store opens inside Sainsbury’s supermarket in Hazel Grove

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Aug-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — A brand new Argos digital store opened today (26/08/2016) inside the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Hazel Grove, London Road, Stockport bringing extra choice and convenience to customers in the area.

The new digital store has created 20 local jobs and follows the success of the 10 stores opened within Sainsbury’s supermarkets during 2015.

The smaller, new format Argos store offers the most popular products that customers want for immediate pick up with c.20,000 products available for store collection within a few hours ranging from toys to tablets to tables.

Simon Perry, Manager of the Sainsbury’s store, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome the Argos team to our store, and we are looking forward to feedback from customers about the increased range and offer. It’s a great, complementary product offer and provides the convenience that our customers are looking for. We’re also enjoying getting to know the Argos team and welcoming them into store as we work together to serve customers.”

Aaron Youd, Argos Store Manager, added: “Over the last few weeks passers-by have been trying to get a sneak peek of the store, and they’ve all said “wow.” It’s a really convenient addition for local shoppers and will allow them to have access to an extended range of non-food items.”

The new store is equipped for shopping in the digital age, with tablets that mirror the online shopping experience and staff on hand to help. Around half of Argos’ total sales now start online, but 80% of customers will visit one of 842 stores to pick up their goods.

Notes to Editors

Photographs of the Argos store in a Sainsbury’s are available from the Argos Press Office on 0845 120 4365 or email media.relations@argos.co.uk

Argos now offers same day delivery and faster in-store collection with Fast Track. You can now buy online and get your order delivered the same day for £3.95, seven days a week, with Fast Track Delivery. You can also buy online and collect from our dedicated Fast Track counters in-store in as little as 60 seconds.

About Argos
Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 60,000 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 120 M customer transactions a year through its stores and over 975 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2016. Customers can take advantage of Argos’ convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 842 stores and concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the financial year to February 2016, Argos sales were £4.1 billion and it employed some 30,000 people across the business. Argos is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.

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.

For more information about Sainsbury’s, please contact the Sainsbury’s press office on 020 7695 7295 or email press_office@sainsburys.co.uk

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New Argos digital store opens inside Sainsbury’s supermarket in Hazel Grove
New Argos digital store opens inside Sainsbury’s supermarket in Hazel Grove

 

Source: Argos

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Argos opens new digital store inside Sainsbury’s supermarket on London Road, Stoke- on-Trent

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Aug-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — A brand new Argos digital store opened today (24/08/2016) inside the Sainsbury’s supermarket on London Road, Stoke- on-Trent bringing extra choice and convenience to customers in the area.

The new digital store has created 20 local jobs and follows the success of the 10 stores opened within Sainsbury’s supermarkets during 2015.

The smaller, new format Argos store offers the most popular products that customers want for immediate pick up with c.20,000 products available for store collection within a few hours ranging from toys to tablets to tables.

Peter Jones, Manager of the Sainsbury’s store, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome the Argos team to our store, and we are looking forward to feedback from customers about the increased range and offer. It’s a great, complementary product offer and provides the convenience that our customers are looking for. We’re also enjoying getting to know the Argos team and welcoming them into store as we work together to serve customers.”

Steve Rowlands, Argos Store Manager, added: “Over the last few weeks passers-by have been trying to get a sneak peek of the store, and they’ve all said “wow.” It’s a really convenient addition for local shoppers and will allow them to have access to an extended range of non-food items.”

The new store is equipped for shopping in the digital age, with tablets that mirror the online shopping experience and staff on hand to help. Around half of Argos’ total sales now start online, but 80% of customers will visit one of 842 stores to pick up their goods.

Notes to Editors

Photographs of the Argos store in a Sainsbury’s are available from the Argos Press Office on 0845 120 4365 or email media.relations@argos.co.uk

Argos now offers same day delivery and faster in-store collection with Fast Track.

You can now buy online and get your order delivered the same day for £3.95, seven days a week, with Fast Track Delivery. You can also buy online and collect from our dedicated Fast Track counters in-store in as little as 60 seconds.

About Argos
Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 60,000 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 120m customer transactions a year through its stores and over 975 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2016.  Customers can take advantage of Argos’ convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 842 stores and concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

In the financial year to February 2016, Argos sales were £4.1 billion and it employed some 30,000 people across the business.

Argos is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.

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.

For more information about Sainsbury’s, please contact the Sainsbury’s press office on 020 7695 7295 or email press_office@sainsburys.co.uk

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Argos opens new digital store inside Sainsbury’s supermarket on London Road, Stoke- on-Trent
Argos opens new digital store inside Sainsbury’s supermarket on London Road, Stoke- on-Trent

 

Source: Argos

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Argos launches sunshine-themed pendant to support The Irish Cancer Society

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Jul-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Let your light shine this summer as Argos launches its exclusive pendant for The Irish Cancer Society.

The sunshine-themed pendant is available in Argos stores and online from 16 July retailing at €41.99. Of this, €5 from every sale will help fund the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Centres, which support people affected by cancer in Ireland by providing cancer information, support and advice in local communities.

The pendant will add a little sparkle to any outfit and features an uplifting message, making it a perfect gift for your loved ones.

Stephanie Wilkes, Jewellery Buyer at Argos, said: “This gorgeous pendant is the perfect way to light up the lives of your loved ones, and with €5 from each sale going straight to The Irish Cancer Society, you’ll be helping to fund Cancer Nurses in Daffodil Centres around Ireland.

“We’re so proud to be supporting The Irish Cancer Society, and hope the sales of these pendants will help make a real difference to the lives of those affected by cancer.”

John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, added: “The money Argos customers will raise with every pendant sold goes towards funding vital support provided to cancer patients and their families through Daffodil Centres. These are walk-in cancer information and support centres managed by experienced cancer nurses, and in 2015 the 13 centers in Ireland dealt with 42,478 enquiries.

“We couldn’t support the 170,000 people living with and beyond cancer in Ireland today without your help, and we’re really grateful to every single person who purchases a pendant whether for themselves, a loved one or a friend. Together, we won’t give up until cancer does.”

Since voting to support The Irish Cancer Society as their Irish charity partner last year, Argos colleagues and customers have raised nearly €80,000, funding over 3,000 hours of vital Irish Cancer Society nursing care to support people affected by cancer in Ireland.

To buy a pendant for your loved one visit your local Argos store, or check and reserve on www.argos.ie

About Argos
Argos is Ireland’s leading general merchandise retailer and provides a unique offer of choice and convenience. It sells general merchandise and products for the home from 40 stores in the Republic of Ireland and around 700 stores in the UK.

Argos opened its first stores in the Republic in January 1996 in Limerick and Dublin; there is now an Argos catalogue in approximately three quarters of all Irish homes.  Argos is already one of the largest retail employers in the country with around 1,100 employees. In 2005, Argos launched its Irish website, www.argos.ie, which now has over 25,000 products online.

About Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society is Ireland’s national cancer charity. Established in 1963, the Irish Cancer Society provides information, support and care to those with, and affected by, cancer all over Ireland. Our services are professional, confidential and free of charge. The Society is almost entirely funded through the generosity of the public and receives less than 2% government funding.

For more information, please contact Aoife Sweeney, PR Manager, Argos Republic of Ireland on email: aoife.sweeney@argos.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @ArgosIreland_PR

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Argos launches sunshine-themed pendant to support The Irish Cancer Society
Argos launches sunshine-themed pendant to support The Irish Cancer Society

Source: Argos

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Argos launches its new Autumn / Winter 2016 offering

Milton Keynes, UK, 2016-Jul-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading retailer Argos launches its new AW16 range to shoppers on Saturday 16 July, offering over 60,000 products in catalogue and online, and featuring must-have gifts from top brands including Apple Watch, Fitbit Blaze and Alta, virtual reality gaming with Playstation VR plus great deals including Canon SX420 bridge cameras and TomTom Sat Nav.

Argos is also offering customers new products from a wide range of exclusive brands within furniture and homewares. Heart of House, now with over 1,100 lines, goes from strength to strength with stunning new collections including the solid oak Kent range and a re-assuring 3 year guarantee on all furniture. New to launch this year, The Collection offers superior quality and great design, much of which has been developed by Argos’ own in house product development team.

The new range offers around 8,000 new lines and is available at www.argos.co.uk. where customers can check stock availability at their local store and reserve items for free, pre-pay and collect in store in as little as 60 seconds or for ultimate convenience have delivered to home or work the same day across 95% of the UK.

As we head into the Christmas season, shoppers are expected to go online to ensure they bag a perfect gift for their loved ones. Online shopping at Argos represents almost 50% of sales, and mobile commerce continues to grow, now representing around 30% of Argos’ total sales¹.

Stephen Vowles, Marketing Director, Argos said: “The retail revolution shows no signs of slowing down and we anticipate customers’ expectations for choice and convenience will be greater than ever this year. Our mission is to ensure customers can get hold all of the brands they love, as quickly and easily as possible.  Over 95 per cent of the UK population has access to up to 20,000 items for same day delivery via Fast Track, which offers four convenient slots seven days a week right to their doorstep – something no one else can offer.

“For larger items, we have the option of next day delivery on many lines. I am more excited than ever by what we have on offer this Autumn / Winter.”

Key highlights from the new AW16 range include:

TECHNOLOGY
The wearable technology market has rocketed in recent years, as Brits continue to enjoy tracking and improving their activity levels. New this season is the Fitbit Blaze, with built in work out routines and GPS function, and the Fitbit Alta which has new interface and movement functions.

The Summer of Sport has increased demand for larger televisions and new ranges are available for Autumn / Winter, as more Smart TVs and Ultra HD content become available. The LG range of TVs have up to four times the number of pixels of Full HD, for stunning colour depth and picture quality, and are available up to 75”. Sony’s X83 4K Ultra HD Android TV which analyses multiple frames so that images can be sharpened and refined in real time and is available from only £619.

Video gaming systems are embracing Virtual Reality. October 2016 sees the launch of Playstation VR, compatible with the PS4 console, with new VR only games becoming available. Gaming systems that also incorporate ‘toys to life’ will be popular, including Amiibo, Lego Dimensions, Disney Infinity and Skylanders Superchargers.

A new report from consulting firm Strategy Analytics said that for the first time ever, more smart watches have been shipped worldwide than Swiss watches (Source: Fortune: Feb 2016). Apple Watch is a real customer favourite offering fantastic design with instant notifications that helps you measure your workouts, track activity and encourages healthy routines.

Finally, the Retro Revival audio market is exciting, as we embrace cassette players, record players and boom-boxes and revive the sounds of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, all available within the Bush and Alba ranges. The Classic radio from Bush is available exclusively at Argos in various colours. Advances in technology make products such as these highly desirable as they embrace vintage design whilst delivering a premium sound quality.

TOYS
Toys this year have truly moved on, with more sophisticated tech, realistic life-like functions and up-to-date pop culture references. Argos has a great range of top toys for Christmas this year, including the Fisher Price Codeapillar, which will inspire a new generation of super-coders, to the SelfieMic, where wannabe pop stars and lip synch-ers can create their own music videos. Also expected to be popular is the Tiny Treasures Baby Doll, which smells as sweet as a newborn, Zoomer Chimp, who performs over 100 tricks and BB-8, part of the extensive Star Wars range.

Chad Valley’s DesignaFriend doll range, exclusive to Argos, continues to prove popular and new friend Tiffany comes with dazzling evening dress, sparkly glitter sandals and pretty clutch bag. She even has an extra outfit and a catwalk.

Nerf continues to be popular. In a recent survey conducted for Argos, a quarter or adults said they enjoyed playing with their kids blasters! New this season is the Battlescout, with a mounted ‘action cam’ that records battles, exclusive to Argos.

Lego continues to prove popular, and this year is no exception. Expect the Lego City Volcano to be popular with scientists big and small, alongside ranges from Lego Friends, Lego Marvel Super Heroes and Lego Star Wars.

HOME
Homewares and furniture brand, Heart of House, available at Argos, offers more than 1,100 stylish products to choose from, are perfectly in keeping with the trends of the season. In time for Christmas, there will also be a Heart of House range of luxury Christmas decorations.

Hero lines include a stylish drinks trolley for £54.99, the Oakington coffee and dining tables from £129.99 and the Darcy floral chair for £249.99, which is available with matching footstool.

Exclusive to Argos, the ColourMatch range offers more than 800 affordable homeware and accessories in 18 colourways and designs. Highlights include the two tone 12-piece dinner set for only £17.99 and the Iso cushion, just £7.99.

Newly introduced for Autumn/Winter 2016, The Collection by Argos has launched with a two year guarantee on all Furniture, with many products designed in house. Look out for the Twyford floor and table lamps from £24.99, the Aurelie rose gold 4’6” bedframe for £229.99, and the stylish nest of three tables in bamboo for £69.99.

Retro for the home includes the Bush Classic Fridge-Freezer in a range of colours including cream, red, black and blue.

OTHER MUST-HAVES FOR AUTUMN/WINTER
Flicking through the new range, there are some other products that will excite customers as the temperatures get colder. Heated fur throws from Relaxwell by Dreamland will ensure you stay cozy while maintaining the glamour with new ranges in hair care from Nicky Clarke, Lee Stafford and Glamoriser.

For the home, don’t forget to select from a range of cordless vacuum cleaners including Animal from Dyson and a range from Bosch – vital for keeping control of those needles under the Christmas tree.

To keep the fun alive, there are some great new gift ideas including virtual reality glasses, the next big thing in immersive entertainment, making you feel you are part of the game. In photography, instants from Polariod Snap and Fujifilm Instax are perfect for capturing and sharing special moments – and then sharing them again on Instagram!

Argos is a top jewellery retailer, and our new in-house collection, Enchanted, is sure to delight, while Accents is a new selection of sterling silver jewellery launched by Hot Diamonds.

TOP VALUE DEALS

Canon Powershot SX420 (black) 413/3571 Save £70 £129.99

Vax Cordless Slim Pet Vacuum Cleaner 554/6112 Save £100 £149.99

HP 15.6” Intel Pentium 4GB 1TB Laptop (red) 544/1482 Save £50 £299.99

Raxor E100S Electric Scooter with seat (blue) 390/9957 Save £20 £139.99

Barbie Complete Playset 425/2579 Half Price £49.99

Philips 4K Ultra HD Smart Ambilight TV (49”) 528/8906 Save £200 £499.99

Bush Wooden DAB Radio 553/5927 Save £20 £29.99

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Chronograph Watch 538/5878 Under Half Price £129.99

¹Home Retail Groups’ latest trading statement covering the 13 weeks from 28 February to 28 May 2016

About Argos
Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 60,000 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 120 M customer transactions a year through its stores and over 975 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2016.  Customers can take advantage of Argos’ convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 842 stores and concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

In the financial year to February 2016, Argos sales were £4.1 billion and it employed some 30,000 people across the business.

For more information, please contact the Argos Press Office on:

0845 120 4365
email: media.relations@argos.co.uk.
Follow us on Twitter at @argos_PR.

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Argos launches its new Autumn / Winter 16 offering
Argos launches its new Autumn / Winter 16 offering

Source: Argos