Argos (retailer)

Argos Limited is a British retailer founded in 1973 by Richard Tompkins.

Tompkins established Argos by evolving his existing Green Shield Stamps concept. Argos retained Green Shield Stamps' catalogue-store model, where customers browse from a book rather than from shelves. In 1979, Argos was acquired by BAT Industries. Over the years, it became a prominent trader in toys, jewellery, electronics, and home furnishings. In 1996, Argos expanded into Ireland. In 1998, Argos was acquired by the GUS plc conglomerate and expanded to reach a peak of 800 standalone stores. GUS was later spun-off to form Home Retail Group, with Argos as its flagship retailer. From 2007 to 2009, Argos traded in India, and from 2011 to 2013, Argos traded in China.

In 2016, Home Retail Group (including Argos) was acquired by Sainsbury's, which introduced Argos concessions in its main stores and Argos Collection Points in Sainsbury’s Local outlets. Since then, many standalone Argos branches have been closed, and the print catalogue has since been discontinued in favour of its consumer website, and integrating tablets within its stores. In June 2023, Argos exited the Irish market due to poor trading conditions and high costs.

As of September 2025, Argos has 664 stores across the United Kingdom, 211 of which are standalone.

The company was founded by Richard Tompkins, who had previously established Green Shield Stamps in the United Kingdom. He came up with the idea that people could purchase goods from his "Green Shield Gift House" with cash rather than savings stamps. He rebranded the original Green Shield Stamps catalogue shops as Argos, beginning in July 1973, the first purpose-built shop opening on the A28 Sturry Road, Canterbury, in late 1973. Green Shield House was in Station Road, Edgware.

Argos was launched with thousands of staff, taking £1 million during a week in November. Argos was purchased by BAT Industries in 1979 for £32 million. In 1980, Argos opened its Elizabeth Duke jewellery counter (named after a director's wife) and by 1982, was the United Kingdom's fourth-biggest jewellery retailer. The Elizabeth Duke brand was later phased out, with products sold as "Jewellery and Watches".

The company was demerged from BAT Industries and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1990.

Argos entered the Irish market in 1996.