New Owners Aim to Revive Argos with Standalone Stores and Partnerships

Swift Partners, a group of seasoned retail executives, purchased Argos from Sainsbury’s at a price far below what the supermarket paid a decade earlier. Their turnaround plan focuses on launching new independent stores and seeking partnerships, while keeping Argos concessions inside Sainsbury’s shops and the Nectar loyalty-card scheme. The chain hopes to exploit its nationwide store footprint and free same-day click-and-collect offering to challenge dominant e-commerce players like Amazon.

Industry experts stress that updating the mobile app and raising brand visibility are essential, as consumer sentiment ranges from nostalgic affection to criticism of an outdated image. Argos has shrunk from roughly 845 standalone outlets to about 200, though it still operates around 450 shop-within-shop sites in Sainsbury’s. The revival effort faces a tough retail market, but some analysts remain optimistic about a focused, “ruthless” strategy.