Another hammer blow for Argos as Sainsbury’s reveals plans to shut two depots with 1,400 jobs at risk after retailer announced bid to shut up to 50 high street branches this year

• Sainsbury’s will also close its office in Milton Keynes due to rise in WFH 

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s today announced plans to close two Argos depots over the next three years in a move that will impact 1,400 jobs. 

The supermarket giant has confirmed it is aiming to shut its Argos warehouse in Basildon, Essex, and a depot in Heywood, Greater Manchester, by 2026. 

Bosses said staff losing their jobs would have the ‘opportunity to find alternative roles’ elsewhere in the business. 

The decision comes shortly after plans were announced to close 50 larger Argos stores and invest in more small branches inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets instead.  

Today, Sainsbury’s also said it will shut its Milton Keynes office after a rise in staff working from home, but stressed no jobs would be impacted by the decision. 

The supermarket giant has confirmed it is aiming to shut its Argos warehouse in Basildon, Essex, and a depot in Heywood, Greater Manchester, by 2026. File pic 

However, it announced alongside the changes that its three remaining Habitat showrooms will close later this year as it plans to launch a replacement digital showroom, which will see a small number of Habitat workers affected. 

Today’s plans prompted a furious reaction from union leaders, who vowed to ‘fight to preserve every job’ 

Unite national officer Matt Draper said: ‘Management at Argos/Sainsbury’s has yet to provide any form of business case for the loss of these jobs. 

‘Unite will be fighting to preserve every job and will put forward an alternative business case to the company to preserve employment at these two sites.

‘This is an incredibly wealthy company which should be investing in its loyal workforce rather than dumping workers in pursuit of short-term profits.

‘If Sainsbury’s doesn’t drop its closure plans then Unite will pursue all avenues to preserve employment at these sites.’

Sainsbury’s also said it will close its Milton Keynes office in response to flexible working across the group, but stressed no jobs would be impacted by the decision

Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, said: ‘As with any major change to our business, we have not taken the difficult decision to start this consultation lightly. 

‘As part of our plan to create a simpler business, we previously set out our intention to integrate our Argos and Sainsbury’s logistics networks. 

‘Over the last few years, we’ve been working hard to transform this network as we make our business simpler, more efficient and more effective for customers. 

‘This also allows us to reduce costs, so we can invest where it will make the most impact for our customers.’

Sainsbury’s will also close its headquarters in Milton Keynes, saying that only 11 per cent of desk space is currently being used.  

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