Argos is set to launch a marketplace to offer “an even wider range of products”, as the general merchandise retailer pushes ahead with a multi-year transformation plan.
The marketplace will go live within the next 12 months and will initially launch with a curated range of partners in complementary and existing categories, Retail Week reported.
It looks to make better use of Argos’ expertise in technology and supply chain, with its website being the third most visited in the UK.
Leading the division will be Timo Scherbaum, who has been appointed director of marketplace at Argos.
He brings previous experience as marketplace managing director at European retail group MediaMarktSaturn to the role. More recently, he held the position of country manager for e-commerce at ZT Outdoor Living, where he was involved in “optimising marketplace performance across Amazon, Home24, and Kaufland”, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The marketplace will form part of Argos’ transformation plan, led by Sainsbury’s chief strategy officer and Argos managing director Graham Biggart. In 2024, Sainsbury’s outlined a three-year ‘Next Level’ strategy, which includes a plan to build on Argos’ strengths in convenience and value, growing frequency and spend through improved range and relevance.
“Introducing a marketplace within the next year marks an exciting next step in Argos’ multi‑year transformation,” Biggart told Retail Week. ”It reflects what we know customers want – more choice, more convenience and more reasons to shop with confidence.
“With over one billion visits to our website each year and a brand built on value, trust and quality, we see a real opportunity to offer an even wider range of products that complements our core ranges and the highly valued suppliers we work with today.”
It comes after Sainsbury’s plans to sell Argos to Beijing-based retailer JD.com collapsed less than 24 hours after the late-stage talks were revealed, as JD.com was only “prepared to engage on a materially revised set of terms and commitments”, the supermarket said.
In November, Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts said the grocer was “not currently in any discussions” to sell the general merchandise retailer and was “focused on delivering and driving the strongest and most successful future for Argos”.
Sainsbury’s has been contacted for further comment on the marketplace launch.
No comments yet