Argos launches curated marketplace

Argos, one of the United Kingdom’s largest omnichannel retailers, has launched a marketplace. With the new platform, the retailer aims to better serve online shoppers in its home market. Applications are also open to selling partners from outside the United Kingdom.

Sainsbury’s, which still owns Argos for the time being, announced its marketplace plans in February. At the time, Argos already operated one of the UK’s most-visited retail websites, attracting more than one billion visits annually and offering over 60,000 products.

One-stop shopping

The marketplace is intended to give customers “more choice, more convenience and more reasons to shop with confidence”, according to Argos Managing Director Graham Biggart. The former catalogue retailer says this responds directly to changing consumer behaviour: “We know customers increasingly want to complete more of their shopping in one place.”

Argos sees growing demand for one-stop shopping

That does not mean the marketplace is open to everyone. “Argos’ marketplace will reflect its heritage, scale and values. It will not be an open or unregulated platform”, the retailer said. Argos promises to carefully curate both sellers and products, with a strong focus on quality, product safety and customer confidence.

Eighty partners already live

Products from around 80 selling partners (‘Trusted Sellers’) are already available on the platform, according to ChannelX, which reported on the soft launch. The marketplace runs on Mirakl’s software. Prospective partner sellers can apply, after which Argos assesses the value they would add to the platform.

Local fulfilment is not a formal requirement

International companies are also welcome to apply. However, during the onboarding process Argos asks whether all orders are shipped from a warehouse in the United Kingdom. While local fulfilment is not a formal requirement under the marketplace’s terms and conditions, it may well be an important selection criterion.

Marketplaces in the United Kingdom

Ecommerce in the United Kingdom is gaining momentum. Online retail spending recorded its strongest growth in years in June. British online shoppers also rely on marketplaces, providing another reason for Argos to enter the market. Thanks to its extensive store network, the retailer believes it can offer a compelling marketplace proposition.

Argos believes click-and-collect is a key differentiator

In the battle for customers and selling partners, Argos will compete with the likes of market leader Amazon, pure-play marketplace OnBuy and Chinese newcomer JoyBuy. It will do so under new ownership: last week, it was announced that Sainsbury’s is selling Argos after ten years to the consortium Swift Partners, which aims to revive the retailer as an independent brand.