‘What a time to be alive’ scream shoppers as iconic high street brand with over 1,000 locations shuts another branch

SHOPPERS have been left gutted after an iconic high street brand with over 1,000 stores announced it is closing another branch.

Argos has branches across the UK and has become hugely beloved brand.

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The retailer was founded in 1973 and sells more than 60,000 products including tech, home and garden, toys and appliances.

But now, Argos has confirmed its store in the Meols Cop retail park, Southport, Merseyside, has closed for the final time.

Sainsbury’s, who owns Argos, confirmed the news to The Sun.

It’s not all bad news, however, as an Argos branch will open inside a new Salisbury’s supermarket at the retail park.

An Argos spokesperson said: “To make shopping more convenient for customers and to enable us to invest where it matters most, we are relocating many of our standalone Argos stores to Sainsbury’s – this includes our Southport Meols Cop Argos store.

“This week, a brand-new Argos will open inside Sainsbury’s Southport Meols Cop, enabling customers to purchase thousands of technology, home and toy products from Argos while picking up their groceries.”

The new shop is set to open tomorrow (February 28) and shoppers have taken to social media to share their excitement.

One said: “What a time to be alive!”

Another added: “Great news! Can’t wait for it to open.”

And a third cried: “Actually really glad to see this retail park looking better.”

While a fourth said: “Good luck! Looking forward to seeing what’s on offer.”

The retailer announced in July last year plans to close 100 UK branches over the next 12 months.

The move is part of the retailer’s plan to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.

Argos currently has 1,103 locations, including 669 standalone stores and 431 sites inside Sainsbury’s stores.

Last year the high street retailer closed 47 UK shops, including all 34 of its branches in the Republic of Ireland in June.

The company blamed the closure of the Republic of Ireland stores on the investment required to develop and modernise the Irish part of its business as “not viable”.

By March this year, Sainsbury’s expects to have 160 standalone stores and between 430 and 460 Argos counters inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is not the only retailer making significant changes to its business model.

It comes just days after Argos closed its Festival Park location in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday, February 24.

Plus, it is closing its branch in Staines-upon-Thames on Thursday, February 29.

Pharmacy chain Boots has been streamlining its store portfolio and shutting down some of its town centre branches.

Marks and Spencer has also been closing down some of its locations, however, it has been opening up new locations too.

What other changes are taking place on the high street?

The high street is almost unrecognisable compared to what it once was with some locals describing their town as more like a “ghost town.”

Shops, pubs and restaurants are all falling victim to the increasing cost of living, with high rents and bills making it impossible to survive.

Shoppers no longer have the cash to splash like they used to with many just managing to get by after paying for essentials.

Last year popular retailers such as Wilko fell into administration and vanished from the high street for good.

Fans were left devastated over the demise of the discounter, however, it does look like the retailer is making a comeback.

The Range snapped up the website and brand name last year and has since started to open up some new concept stores, much to the delight of fans.

Wilko stores have already opened in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton and opening dates of a further two locations have recently been revealed.

Stores are set to open in St Albans and Rotherham on Good Friday, March 29 at 9am.

Meanwhile, it is not such good news for Body Shop fans as the iconic beauty retailer recently fell into administration and revealed it would be closing almost half of its 198 stores.

Seven branches have already closed with immediate effect but administrators for the high street stalwart said it is looking to “secure the brand’s future” with the restructure.

Troubled fashion brand Superdry is also looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring.

However, some retailers are bucking the trend and opening up in new locations.

Primark said it will open five new branches, and one is coming in just weeks.

Also, B&M is opening six new locations at the start of 2024, including in former Wilko stores it has taken over.

See the full list of shops opening on the high street in our round-up.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk