by Emily Noone

Argos Ireland joins list of companies that announced lay-offs in Ireland and announces closure of all its stores in the Republic.

Argos is set to close all stores across the Republic of Ireland, this will lead to an estimated loss of 580 jobs across the 34 stores. 

Argos will gradually close its stores with the aim of leaving the Republic of Ireland by June 24^th with talks currently taking place between the company and Mandate Trade Union to ‘propose an enhanced redundancy package’. 

It is said that the company intends to provide employees with more than its statutory obligation and is committed to supporting its staff.

The statement also noted, ‘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. 

Having opened its first stores in January of 1996 in both Limerick and Dublin and having opened many more since then nationwide, Argos has been a success in the country for 27 years, it is unfortunate that its doors will soon close and jobs will be lost. However, Argos will remain operating in Northern Ireland. 

In a statement, Argos, which is owned by Sainsbury’s stated it, “arrived at the decision to leave Ireland following a long period of careful 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.”

Irish consumers will see the stores close gradually beginning with the Portlaoise stores closing on May 6^th with Argos in the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre due to close at the end of the following week. All Stores will be closed by June 24^th.

Argos online will still be available to Irish consumers for home delivery of products until March 22^nd.

Argos Ireland Operations Manager, Andy McClelland 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.”

Ireland has seen a loss in jobs across the country since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic. Unemployment is reported on a monthly basis by the Central Statistics Office and stands currently at 4.4%. 

The unemployment rate in the country was at a high during the pandemic, ‘the great resignation’ began as employees were asked to return to their offices and companies due to high costs and inflation have seen a need to let go of staff. 

It is clear the loss of Argos will influence these unemployment rates as near 600 people will be losing their jobs. This is a difficult time of year for retailers and all businesses alike, after Christmas and with rising cost of living, consumers do not have as much disposable income to spend. 

Dell is set to cut 5% of jobs in Ireland in the coming weeks which was announced on February 7^th. Microsoft also announced in January that it will cut 10,000 jobs internationally which is nearly 5% of its entire workforce, this causes worry for Microsoft Ireland which employs 3,500 people. PayPal also announced on February 1^st that they will be reducing their staff by roughly 2,000 people which is 7% of their total staff. 

All of these job losses are set to influence the unemployment rates in Ireland and are a worry for people and government bodies at present.