Argos Mobile Sales Rise To A Fifth Of Revenue

Argos has almost doubled sales via mobile devices to 18 per cent of total sales in the past two months.

The retailer said mobile commerce sales increased by 89 per cent in the period to March 1 compared to the same period a year earlier.

That helped lift total sales at the business by 5.2 per cent. The increase was an acceleration on the 4.1 per cent rise in the 26 weeks to March 1.

Internet sales increased to 44 per cent of total Argos sales from 42 per cent a year ago.

Outgoing chief executive Terry Duddy said: 'It has been a very exciting time leading the Group over the last 15 years. Digital technology, together with changes in consumer behaviour, have fundamentally changed the face of retailing in recent times, and both Argos and Homebase have well defined plans and strong management teams in place to be leaders in both digital trends and changes in the way people shop.'

Argos has 734 stores and has been criticised for not considering a closure programme in the face of rising competition online. Argos said in 2012 it would close 75 stores but has insisted that it can utilise the remainder as profit generators as part of its reserve and collect model.