Argos to close Navan and Ashbourne stores
Argos has announced that it intends to close all stores and operations in the Republic of Ireland at the end of June this year.
The news will impact almost 600 people, across 34 stores, including stores in Navan and Ashbourne.
Argos stores are due to close on Saturday, June 24th.
The news first emerged from a statement through Mandate Trade Union, and the company confirmed it just before noon.
A spokesperson for Argos said a review 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.
They confirmed there will be no change to the retailer’s operations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.
"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, and disappointing for its loyal customers," read the statement.
"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, the recognised trade union, 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.”
Argos is set to begin gradually winding down its Irish business. As part of this, 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 March 22nd. 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.
In a statement earlier today, the Mandate Trade Union has this morning expressed its disappointment at Argos’s decision to close all of its outlets in Ireland.
Mandate official, Michael Meegan, said that the union will be engaging intensively with the company to get the best possible deal for the workers 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.” .