Argos, a UK-based retailer, is planning to launch a new online marketplace within the next twelve months, designed to compete with established platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. This initiative is part of a three-year transformation plan led by Graham Biggart, Sainsbury’s chief strategy officer and Argos managing director. Biggart stated that the introduction of this marketplace aligns with customer demand for increased choice, convenience, and improved shopping confidence.

The marketplace will allow third-party sellers to offer products directly to consumers, further expanding Argos' product range and potentially attracting more customers to their platform. This strategic move not only aims to enhance the shopping experience for customers but also positions Argos as a more competitive player in the evolving retail landscape dominated by online giants like Amazon and eBay.

As retail trends continue to shift towards online shopping, Argos' marketplace could serve as a significant growth vehicle, helping to drive traffic to its existing website, which already receives over one billion visits annually. The success of this initiative will depend on the selection of partners Argos collaborates with for their marketplace, as well as how effectively they can integrate this platform into their current operations to meet consumer expectations and preferences effectively.