Argos to close all Irish stores starting March

Grab All Association

It’s really depressing here. The UK is in bad shape, but so are businesses in Ireland. We have our head buried in the sand. People talk about closer integration with the EU, but those businesses aren’t coming here. Logistics would be the biggest factor, followed by rents, electricity costs and the fact we are a very small market. It was an ordeal to get something from Germany recently, what was meant to be next day via UPS took 9 days! The Germans don’t believe in refunding postage costs either.

Cex closed down in Thurles Shopping Centre recently. readers of the Thurles thread could see I predicted it would close. It had the same stock for months that wasn’t selling. My niece brought in DVDs and they told her they could only give her a voucher as there was no cash in the till. Was it because people didn’t need to pawn stuff or they had nothing to pawn? I suspect the latter.

it’s not only Amazon to blame. Retailers themselves got lazy and complacent long before Amazon, eBay etc entered the Irish market. You’d go in to a independently or nationwide owned computer store during the boom looking for DDR1/2 (shows you how long it’s happening) and they wouldn’t have it in stock, they’d give you an inflated price and you’d be waiting weeks. One time it was cheaper for me to fly to England for Rambus memory than to acquire it here in Ireland.

Dodge

Are you seriously suggesting a CEX closing down as evidence of things being “really depressing”?

A shop set up to sell second hand video games initially?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133804#Comment_120133804

Uh actually CeX was originally setup as a video games and computer specialist.

Besides any cex closing is not a sign of bigger things because they’re almost all owned by franchisees in Ireland and I imagine the majority in the UK are similar.

Cex are very transparent about setting up a franchise as well. They reckon you need about €250k to get setup (stock + fitting the store out) and if the business isn’t working out (provided you meet certain conditions) they’ll buy you out and take over themselves. That doesn’t sound to me like a business in decline anyway.

The Nal

Take a quick ramble around Dublin city centre and you'll see shop fitters all over the place working on opening new premises. Its great to see. Can barely walk down a street for all the white vans parked up.

Theres a lot of places closing but they're mainly covid type businesses that were never going to last. We don't need that many coffee shops.

Argos just didn't adapt and died

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133836#Comment_120133836

Argos in Ireland honestly had a better chance if they went a similar route to UK— meaning they started opening outlets in sainsbury’s. Just wouldn’t fly here none of the major supermarkets would be bothered cos it would cut into their business a bit (Tesco & Dunnes mainly).

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133853#Comment_120133853

They could have made a deal with Supervalu or one of the German retailers, they got lazy in my opinion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133872#Comment_120133872

Well actually no they couldn’t have.

Aldi & Lidl are not even worth talking about, they’re stores are all carbon copies and laid out very specifically. Obviously due to being in the real world some stores will vary slightly but the basic premise is identical across them all. Where do you think an Argos would fit in your local Aldi?

SuperValu is just a brand owned by musgraves, they do operate some stores themselves but the majority of them are franchisees. So who’s paying for Argos to integrate into the store? What’s the level of disruption to the locals who may use SuperValu as their staple shop (maybe it’s their only supermarket) there would be war. That’s assuming you could convince the franchise owners to gut the shops and fit an Argos.

I’m not trying to even imply it could’ve saved Argos, I mainly mentioned it as an alternative to high rental costs they claimed were major factors in deciding to leave. But chances are the investment to integrate into SuperValu’s/Aldi/Lidl/Tesco etc would’ve have been far greater than they were willing to chance. Cos if it goes tits up… well that’s a nice waste of cash.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120132833#Comment_120132833

no but it was being encouraged to buy online…. Which I did, and the quality was mixed often from two suppliers. Fruit and veg especially.

quality of product ? Easy, when it’s handed to you if the box / outer packaging is damaged, dented, torn or ripped I won’t accept it. Neither would most people. Regardless of what’s inside… packaging damage indicates improper handling.

the legwork is all on the employee to get you the product in perfect condition…

when you are in an in person transaction there is more onus / pressure for the supplier/retailer to supply a 100% product and 100% service.. there and then.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133853#Comment_120133853

The huge difference is themselves and Sainsburys are the same company. Would make no sense as you say to cut a deal with a different company.

I suspect Argos’ future is probably just an extension of the Sainsbury’s website.

The purchase included Homebase, the DIY store, but I get the impression Sainsbury’s may struggle to make it all hang together.

The Irish business simply isn’t a strategic fit as the company isn't planning to maintain the Argos business anywhere. It’s just rolling aspects of it into their own stores, which don’t exist in Ireland.

Essentially Argos as we all knew it won’t exist in England either once that integration completes.

UK high street stuff is going to be very very squeezed as their economy goes though the next couple of years too. The figures aren’t looking great at all.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134154#Comment_120134154

There is also a serious stuck up attitude to shopping in Argos in the UK that I don't ever remember here. Got a reputation as the kinda place only poor people go to and became the butt of a number of comedians jokes. Kinda the Iceland of non food items.

Might be that going forward Sainsburys want the company but not the brand. You can already click and collect to Sainsburys stores so thats the future Ide say too.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120132947#Comment_120132947

When I order from next the courier is at the door 5 mins after I pay 😂😂amazing service

NoviGlitzko

Picked up a hair trimmers and miniature screwdriver set that I needed on the day last Saturday in Nutgrove, Dublin. It was really handy for getting things on short notice. Feel bad for the workers - they were always great whenever I was in there.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134032#Comment_120134032

Yes I know that’s what I mean it wouldn’t work here for numerous reasons but it would prob have been the only way really.

tiredblondie

What happens to warranty's when a store like Argos closes down?

I bought a Ninja Airfryer a couple of weeks back for 240euro and an air conditioning until last year for about 500euro - both are fine thankfully but if something where to happen with them, what can i do about it?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134620#Comment_120134620

Warranties are always the responsibility of the manufacturer whether or not Argos stores close down makes no odds.

murpho999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134620#Comment_120134620

I'm amazed that people don't realise that the warranties are from the manufacturers and not the retailers.

timetogo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134704#Comment_120134704

They probably meant statutory rights. Warranties rarely beat those. Warranties are with the manufacturer. Your statutory rights are normally the responsibility of the seller.

https://www.eccireland.ie/ecc-ireland-issues-advisory-on-consumer-warranties-and-statutory-rights/#:~:text=Under%20Irish%20law%2C%20consumers%20have,at%20the%20time%20of%20purchase.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134635#Comment_120134635

They're not actually. Any manufacturer’s warranty is above and beyond your statutory rights. A retailer can also offer extended warranties.

Your normal contract is with the retailer and only the with the retailer.

If you have an additional warranty from the manufacturer that’s a separate arrangement.

For most things you buy, you’re dealing exclusively with the retailer.

ozmo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134841#Comment_120134841

And if you bought an extended warranty for some reason you could be due some cash back…

https://m.independent.ie/world-news/argos-extended-warranty-customers-to-share-500000-in-goodwill-gesture-40242343.html

pgj2015

The Government should do something about people buying so much online, its not of much use to the Irish economy if people are buying online from amazon.uk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134241#Comment_120134241

That was largely based on its earlier days when it sold a lot of own brand / no brand or brands that only sold though Argos. They were often rubbishy electronics and electrical stuff and very cheap items of furniture, weird wardrobes aimed at student flats and so on.

You’d get stuff like Alba, Bush, and recent ones like Procook and Procool. They also had a lot of cheapo brands like Binatone.

They also sold plenty of well known brands and decent stuff too, but that’s where the reputation and snobbery emerged from.

Argos was the go to place for stuff like very cheap curtains or pop up wardrobes.

Not to mention jewellery that would have suited Del Trotter…

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134912#Comment_120134912

To save these huge multinationals who come in wipe out all the local high street competition and then fek off to another out of town site or out of the country when it suits ?

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135006#Comment_120135006

No, to save all the shops you find in every town in the country.

PommieBast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134912#Comment_120134912

How....?

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135177#Comment_120135177

Put a limit on how many online items you buy per year.

bb1234567

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120128577#Comment_120128577

I don't know about a cycle. A predictable process sure but cycle implies it'll eventually turn back or the scale of retail will return and that's not in any way a given, it looks like it's just everything being absorbed by amazon and I don't see what comes after that stage when it is so so so dominant over worldwide online retail.

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135189#Comment_120135189

I think I'd prefer the government to look at the housing crisis, the health service crisis, the cost of living problems etc before I'd want them wasting a minute on this. All they'd do introduce a botched system that wouldn't work properly anyway.

jmayo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134738#Comment_120134738

Also at Christmas bought phone camera printer thingy as present for young wan.

It was the only place I could get one short notice.

They were selling insurance on item.

Wonder how that works now?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120128745#Comment_120128745

They were using pencils for a while, much like those Swedish folks.

Wherever they get them the graphite in them is shyte.

jmayo

Just thinking years ago ordering something without ever seeing it in the flesh and getting it delivered (mail order old version of it) was the preserve of those living in the middle of nowhere - outback Australia or even parts of Ireland.

Nowadays everyone is doing it.

feargantae

What do I do with unused Gift cards after you have closed?

We encourage customers to spend any Argos Euro Gift cards with us before stores close on 24 June. We'll be sharing more details about what to do with any unspent gift cards after this date soon.

Hmmm, wonder what they mean by the last bit. I have a few unused Giftcards left as I can get them discounted in work. It'd be handy if they just refunded them

If you’ve Argos gift cards I’d suggest spending them ASAP. You’ve no guarantee of having much range of stock as time goes on.

I wouldn’t fancy having to take their value in hoover bags or something…

Gift cards seem to be very low priority for companies in wind downs.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135572#Comment_120135572

Today Friday 20th January I was in 'an' Argos store in the Dublin suburbs. There is feck all left. I was the only one there as a browsing customer. The shelves are threadbare.

SPEND YOUR UNUSED ARGOS VOUCHERS NOW FOLKS

screamer

in rathcoole Amazon have Literally built miles of warehousing. That’s contributing to the economy. But let’s face it, wherever we buy our crap it’s coming from china 99 prevent of the time. That’s the real economy that’s benefitting from it all.

will miss Argos, loved the convenient method of shopping.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135171#Comment_120135171

So definitely not Argos then who are in very few towns and mostly abandoned the city centres regardless of this announcement.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135370#Comment_120135370

Well in fairness ordering it without ever seeing it in the flesh is exactly what happened in Argos.

I can't understand why people are choosing Argos as the "good old fashioned high street shop" hill to die on.

Ide also love to know where ye all live that has Argos but nowhere else ye can get these items. Most Argos are practically next to places where you can still get your printer/kettle/garden furniture etc.

Dodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135189#Comment_120135189

It’s a high bar but this might be the maddest post I’ve ever read on here

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135644#Comment_120135644

Same, pure immediacy and convenience… replaced by going online and … waiting. Pretty inconvenient.

Hyperbollix

Damn. Gonna miss telling everyone I got that chic bit of retro furniture in "Argooooose"

y0ssar1an22

Sad. Tis great to book something online and stroll over to pick it up. Just shows how much of a behemoth Amazon is.

Developing and maintaining that infrastructure is some feat

johnnycullen

Totally outdated business model, not like hum, Guineys or some others.

Pity, just went to buy Switch games, sometimes 10 o 15 quid cheaper than in Smyths or Game stop. Guess they could have got rid of large stuff and focus in small appliances. Not too many places to buy small things such a sd card or this kind of stuff in case of need. We´ll end up forced to pay Prime.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120136121#Comment_120136121

You can still do that. It's not a binary choice between Argos and Amazon.

Argos was a blip in the history of shopping that just happened to be a blip during the formative years of most boards posters so it suddenly sounds like some epoch defining moment.

Awful bang of the "cash is king" posters of some of the posts too.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120136636#Comment_120136636

More convenience is king as opposed to cash…

Montage of Feck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134912#Comment_120134912

You can't hold back the tide, maybe fund Irish companies to improve their online presence and shipping options. Before Brexit it was nearly always cheaper and easier to order from UK online retailers.

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120136783#Comment_120136783

They could do it if they wanted though. They are in charge as we saw during the pandemic.

babyducklings1

Was a big Argos fan, loved that you could pick out what you wanted online then reserve it and go and pick it up ( in many cases that day) I know everyone is going to online shopping but the hassle of being at home for delivery, having the parcel flung into your garden etc. not to mention if it’s the wrong thing / damaged etc. and then returns. I’ve bought loads of stuff from Argos kids paddling pools, Santa toys, house things, luggage bags etc etc. It’s a big loss and sad to see them go.

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120135212#Comment_120135212

Argos wouldn't have anything i'd want

Amazon if I want a tape measure I can choose from about 50 different ones

ozmo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120136933#Comment_120136933

But if you want an ps5.. or a particular rare kids Christmas toy .. or other specific item- its great to be able book one when in stock. And collect it at your leisure. Ive got items from argos thats were unobtainable anywhere including amzon etc. also great to have somewhere not ripping us off to keep other local stores in check.

I will miss them.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120136376#Comment_120136376

Not too many places to buy small things such a sd card or this kind of stuff in case of need. We´ll end up forced to pay Prime.

People on here say, "oh well I just buy it in Amazon and it arrives the next day because I have Prime"

But what about us that don't have Prime or never want to have Prime, it ain't coming the next day.

I don't have Prime because I don't buy enough from Amazon to justify yet another monthly subscription, and their TV offering is poor.

I haven't been to Argos in a few years, but they were handy for some stuff, and I found them great for returns if an item broke or didn't work.

But at the end of the day their closure means we the customer are left with less choice.

Dodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120137630#Comment_120137630

“I haven't been to Argos in a few years”

The answer is in your own post.

I liked them for the reasons others did, and used them regularly. But there’s little they stocked that couldn’t be got in other bricks and mortar shops so I don’t see it as a huge deal