McLaughlin seeks meeting over Argos store closures as Sainsbury's moves to reduce standalone estate to 100 by 2024

“We can’t just sit back as thousands of low income workers and their families face poverty in the middle of a pandemic.

“I am seeking an urgent meeting with Sainsbury’s about this announcement and what it will mean for workers across Northern Ireland,” she said.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said the retailer plans to open 350 more Argos stores in Sainsbury’s and Argos collection points in supermarkets and convenience stores by March 2024. As a result the company will close around 420 branches, bringing the UK Argos standalone store estate to around 100 by March 2024, they added.

A hundred and twenty Argos standalone stores have not reopened since they were closed back in March and these will remain closed permanently as a result of this update, the spokesperson said.

“While these stores have remained closed, many Argos colleagues have redeployed to help in other Argos stores and Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

“They will continue to do this during the consultation process and we will do everything possible to find them alternative roles within the business by the time this concludes in the New Year,” the retail giant said.

Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of J Sainsbury plc said: "Argos sales have been strong over the past six months and we have gained almost two million new customers as people have re-connected with Argos.

"Over the next three years we will make Argos a simpler, more efficient and more profitable business while still offering customers great convenience and value and improving availability.

"We are talking to colleagues today about where the changes we are announcing in Argos standalone stores impact their roles. We will work really hard to find alternative roles for as many of these colleagues as possible and expect to be able to offer alternative roles for the majority of impacted colleagues.”

“Given the unprecedented circumstances of this year and the challenges facing our colleagues, including the changes we are announcing today, I have informed the Board that if a bonus is payable, I will waive any bonus entitlement for this financial year.”