Argos confirms NI stores won’t be impacted following announcement of Republic of Ireland closures
Argos stores in Northern Ireland will not be affected by the announcement the company will close all its stores and operations in the Republic of Ireland.
The well-known chain, owned by Sainsbury’s, has 20 stores in Northern Ireland and 34 shops in the Republic of Ireland. All 34 of its outlets in the south will close at the end of June this year.
The trade union, Mandate said it had been notified that the retailer was “shutting down its complete operation in Ireland”.
Argos operates a bespoke model in the Republic that is significantly different to its wider UK operations. They stressed there will be “no changes” to the retailer’s operations in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, where Argos is “performing well and collectively has over 1000 points of presence”.
This includes 253 standalone stores and 422 Argos stores inside Sainsbury’s stores, as well as Argos Click and Collect inside over 400 other Sainsbury’s stores.
REDUNDANCY PACKAGE
Established in 1973, Argos offers more than 60,000 products through its website, apps, stores and convenience Click and Collect points inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets. The retailer has been serving Irish customers since 1996, when it opened its first stores in Limerick and Dublin.
In a statement, the company said it is committed to “doing everything it can to support its people” and is talking to 580 colleagues across the 34 Irish stores.
“As part of its consultation with colleagues and Mandate, the recognised trade union, Argos will propose an enhanced redundancy package that goes well beyond its statutory obligations,” they said.
‘As with any major change to our business, we have not made this decision lightly’
Andy McClelland, Argos Ireland Operations Manager
“The small number of colleagues not eligible for redundancy under Irish Law are expected to receive a one-off goodwill payment. To further support colleagues, Argos has also committed to a programme of wider support over the coming months.”
Andy McClelland, Argos Ireland Operations Manager said: “We understand this is difficult news for our customers and colleagues. As with any major change to our business, we have not made this decision lightly and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted.
“On behalf of everyone at Argos I would like to thank our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners for their support to our business.”
WINDING DOWN
Argos stores will remain open to customers until 24th June. Following the announcement, the company said it would begin the process of “gradually winding down its Irish business”.
As part of this, customers in Ireland will no longer be able to pay for orders via the Argos website or place orders via its home delivery service after 22nd March 2023.
Orders placed up to this date will continue to be fulfilled and customers will still be able to reserve products online and pay for them in store until the point of business closure.
