Argos has been a familiar name on British high streets for more than five decades, but the retailer is now facing a major challenge: how to attract a new generation of shoppers in an increasingly digital retail market.
The company remains widely used across the UK, with around half of British households still shopping with the retailer.
However, Argos has struggled to achieve significant growth in recent years as consumers increasingly turn to online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Its sales have largely stagnated, while the shopping habits of UK consumers have changed dramatically.
Now, following a change in ownership, the retailer is preparing for a new chapter.
A New Direction for a Familiar Brand
Sainsbury's, which has owned Argos for roughly a decade, recently agreed to sell the business for considerably less than the amount it originally paid.
The new owners believe Argos still has significant potential and have identified opportunities to expand the business, including the possibility of opening more standalone stores.
The challenge will be turning that optimism into sustainable growth.
Argos already has something many online retailers struggle to replicate: physical locations where customers can collect products quickly.
The question is whether that advantage is enough to persuade shoppers to return.
Customers Still Love the Convenience
Speaking to shoppers in central London, the BBC found that opinions about Argos remain mixed.
Some customers continue to appreciate the retailer's convenience, particularly its same-day collection service.
For Enrico, 28, Argos also represents a connection to childhood memories.
He remembers visiting his local store to do Christmas shopping and browsing the company's enormous printed catalogue.
For decades, the Argos catalogue was one of the retailer's most recognisable features.
Often nicknamed the “laminated book of dreams”, the catalogue contained thousands of products and became a familiar part of British shopping culture.
Argos eventually stopped producing the printed catalogue in 2021 as customers increasingly moved towards online shopping.
At its height, the catalogue was reportedly one of the most widely printed publications in Europe.
Younger Shoppers Have More Choices
For some younger consumers, however, Argos struggles to compete with the convenience and range offered by online retailers.
Emily, 22, told the BBC that she prefers Amazon because products can be delivered directly to her home through its Prime service.
She said she mainly uses Argos for appliances rather than everyday purchases.
That highlights one of Argos's biggest challenges.
Consumers now have access to enormous online product ranges, detailed reviews and rapid home delivery without needing to visit a physical shop.
Speed Could Be Argos's Biggest Advantage
Despite the competition, Argos still has one particularly useful selling point: customers can often order online and collect products from a nearby store on the same day.
For some shoppers, that speed is more valuable than waiting for a delivery.
Jack Cunningham, 26, from Kent, regularly uses Argos while working in London.
He says the retailer is particularly useful when he needs something immediately and cannot wait for a parcel to arrive.
He also points to another advantage: being able to see or collect a product locally can reduce the frustration of ordering something online only to discover that it is the wrong size or unsuitable.
Can Argos Compete With Amazon?
For years, analysts and commentators have questioned whether Argos could become a serious competitor to Amazon in the UK.
The retailer has invested heavily in its digital infrastructure and moved away from its traditional catalogue-based model.
However, it has never managed to match Amazon's enormous online scale.
Argos generated around £4.1bn in sales last year, while Amazon's UK business recorded approximately £32bn.
The difference illustrates the size of the challenge facing the retailer.
Argos does not necessarily need to defeat Amazon, however.
Instead, its future could depend on finding a space between traditional retail and online shopping.
The Physical Store Could Become an Asset
Argos's physical locations could ultimately become one of its biggest advantages.
Rather than simply competing on the number of products available, the company can focus on speed, convenience and local collection.
A customer who needs a phone, television, appliance or other product immediately may value being able to order online and pick it up within hours.
New standalone stores could also give Argos more control over how the brand is presented to shoppers.
The challenge will be making those stores relevant to customers who are increasingly comfortable buying almost everything online.
A Brand With Plenty of History — But an Uncertain Future
Argos has survived major changes in British shopping habits and remains a recognisable household name.
Its catalogue may have disappeared, but the brand still benefits from strong consumer awareness and a large network of locations.
The new ownership provides an opportunity to rethink how the business operates and what it offers customers.
Whether that is enough to create another period of growth remains uncertain.
Argos may no longer be able to rely on nostalgia alone.
To succeed, it will need to combine the convenience that made it popular with the speed, digital experience and product choice that modern shoppers now expect.
