Argos opens new DC and collection points for Black Friday

The retailer, which trades on its market-leading fulfilment operations, has also added 14 more Argos shop-in-shops to Sainsbury’s supermarkets in recent weeks.

The new fulfilment centre in Croydon represents a £2.5m investment in its London and Southeast logistics network and should reach 3.4 million households. The 69,000 sq ft site will allow Argos to fulfil a greater number of same-day Fast Track delivery orders in the region.

Argos expects to see a double-digit increase in Fast Track orders over Black Friday and Christmas. The service, which delivers goods to homes in as little as four hours, distinguishes Argos from its competitors.

During Black Friday last year, click-and-collect sales rose 38% and Fast Track delivery was up 37%.

There were almost one million visits to Argos’ stores on the day and Click & Collect sales were up 38% and Fast Track delivery sales were up 37% year on year.

Argos now has 266 stores and 326 collection points across the Sainsbury’s estate.

Argos chief executive John Rogers said: “Black Friday is no longer just about great deals. The new battleground is speed and convenience and getting customers what they want, when they want it.  That’s why we’ve invested to make this Black Friday the most convenient ever for customers.”