Argos store could face closure

Home Retail Group, which owns Argos, is planning to close or relocate at least 75 of the catalogue retailer's stores over the next five years.

It is part of the company's plans to change Argos into a digitally-led retailer instead of being predominantly catalogue-led.

It plans to move its stores onto shorter leases to make relocation easier.

Argos has more than 700 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

It expects 10 store closures in the current financial year and no openings.

Following a six-month review of the Argos business, it has decided to invest in developing a bigger range with universal appeal and a stronger online presence.

Among the plans for repositioning Argos as a digital retailer will be upgrading its computer systems to "collect customer data on a large scale".

The stores will be focused on pick-up and customer services, with computers instead of catalogues for ordering and wi-fi to allow customers to order from their smartphones in-store.

The first digital catalogue will be launched before Christmas, with trials of smaller printed catalogues, offering an edited selection of products and pointing customers towards the website for the full range.