Ten Argos outlets to open within branches of Sainsbury’s

The latest method of looking for new ways to make use of store space has resulted in Argos preparing to open 10 outlets within branches of Sainsbury’s.

Argos is due to test outlets ranging in space from 1000ft² to over 5000ft². According to Sainsbury’s, the success of this idea could result in Argos opening more of this type of outlet.

Sainsbury’s claimed that they were under-using space in around 25% of its stores and planned to reorganize this space to sell more homewares and clothes, or put in concessions. It has already become home to Jessops camera and Timpson shoe repair outlets.

The link with Argos comes as a surprise as the range of products offered by Argos overlaps with the range of non-food goods offered by Sainsbury’s. The supermarket group dumped its non-food online store a while back, but it still sells kitchen appliances, small electrical goods and toys on its grocery website. However, Sainsbury’s does not offer consumers a click and collect system, unlike its rivals, Tesco and Asda.

The group experienced a loss of £290m for the half-year ended September and they are attempting to make their stores more attractive to consumers by launching with new partners. Along with this new idea, they intend cutting prices and improving quality of their products.

Consumers will have the opportunity to buy products directly from Argos outlets within Sainsbury stores or they can order items from their homes and collect it later.