Argos is extending its tie-up with online marketplace eBay to enable online shoppers to pick up goods at 650 stores as they capitalise on the growing trend towards click-and-collect services.
By the end of this year, about 65,000 eBay sellers are expected to offer items for collection at Argos, rising to 80,000 in 2015.
Tanya Lawler, the UK vice-president of eBay, said: "Retail has changed and shoppers are in the driving seat like never before. They want to shop any time, anywhere, on any device, and British shoppers love to click and collect."
The deal is the latest in an array of new click-and-collect options for shoppers announced over the past few weeks as retailers try to capitalise on the trend in time for the Christmas shopping rush. The idea is seen by some as the potential saviour of the high street as it connects the fast-growing online shopping world with physical stores.
Amazon plans to trial online shopping pick-up lockers in two London Underground car parks this month, joining supermarket Asda, established in six tube station car parks last year, as well as Tesco, Waitrose and parcel locker company InPost. Britons' enthusiasm for click-and-collect services has also seen Network Rail set up a joint venture with Travelex founder Lloyd Dorfman to invest £24m in 300 Doddle pick-up-points at stations.
With more than half of British shoppers having now picked up online orders from a store or other convenient spots, Amazon has put collection lockers in Co-op and other stores, while retailers including John Lewis are working with Collect+, a scheme that allows shoppers to pick up and return items bought online at more than 5,000 independent retailers.
Argos began trials with eBay in 2013, allowing shoppers to collect goods from 50 online sellers at 150 stores, and Argos boss John Walden has suggested that if the tie-up is successful Argos might look at offering similar services to other retailers or brands.
David Robinson, chief operating officer of Argos, said: "Fulfilment is the next retail battleground and Argos's unique model is well placed to leverage this." Sarah Butler
