All Argos stores across Ireland, including the one in Waterford City, will be closing in March.
A statement was made by Mandate Trade Union, who say by June 24th, all stores will have closed down.
Argos stores will remain open to customers in the Republic of Ireland until that time.
Following today’s announcement, Argos will begin the process of gradually winding down its Irish business.
The Waterford store was closed this morning, with a notice stating staff were unable to operate at their usual working hours.
Mandate say they will be working with the company to try to get the best deal for staff who are being made redundant.
“Today is a difficult one for Argos’s staff here in Ireland as they get the news that the company will be closing down here. Because Argos is shutting down its complete operation in Ireland this amounts to a collective redundancy which requires a 30-day consultation period and we know the company intends to honour that obligation to engage. We will be using this period to negotiate the best possible terms for those who are losing their jobs and we are expecting a constructive response from the company,” Michael Meegan, a Mandate official, said.
It arrived at the decision to leave Ireland following a long period of consideration and a thorough review of its business and operations in the country.
Argos concluded the investment required to develop and modernise the Irish part of its business was not viable and that the money would be better invested in other parts of its business.
Everyone at Argos recognises that today’s news will be unsettling for all its colleagues, some of whom have served Argos customers in Ireland for many years.
Argos is committed to doing everything it can to support its people and is talking to 580 colleagues across 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland about their options.
As part of its consultation with colleagues and Mandate, Argos will propose an enhanced redundancy package that goes well beyond its statutory obligations.
The small number of colleagues not eligible for redundancy under Irish Law are expected to receive a one-off goodwill payment.
To further support colleagues, Argos has also committed to a programme of wider support over the coming months.
Andy McClelland, Argos Ireland Operations Manager, said: “We understand this is difficult news for our customers and colleagues. As with any major change to our business, we have not made this decision lightly and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted. On behalf of everyone at Argos, I would like to thank our colleagues, customers, suppliers, and partners for their support to our business.”
Customers in Ireland will no longer be able to pay for orders via the Argos website or place orders via its home delivery service after 22nd March 2023.
Orders placed up to this date will continue to be fulfilled and customers will still be able to reserve products online and pay for them in store until the point of business closure.
The aftersales, returns, refunds and exchanges policy will continue to apply until Argos stores close.
Customers will be able find more information here about how this policy will continue, in line with the retailer’s statutory obligations, after its stores have closed.
Argos is communicating its overall decision to colleagues, customers, landlords, suppliers and other stakeholders today in order to give them as much time as possible to plan accordingly.
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