Welcome back to the Retail Arbitrage Series. This week, we’re looking at Argos, a household name in UK retail and a bit of an all rounder sort of store when it comes to sourcing for resellers.
Most Argos stores these days are integrated inside Sainsbury’s, which means you can often knock hit two shops in one stop. If you’re already doing a Sainsbury’s run, it makes complete sense to check in on Argos while you’re there.
Now, in terms of retail arbitrage, Argos isn’t necessarily the strongest for traditional in store sourcing, but when it comes to click and collect, it’s one of the best, if not the best in the UK. With the right strategy, timing, and route planning, you can build a really strong sourcing strategy around Argos, especially in Q4.
How Argos Works
Argos stores are generally small, with most of them now found inside Sainsbury’s branches. A few standalone high street stores still exist, but the majority are part of the supermarket network.
Scannable products that aren’t from click and collect are held in the front of the shop these area’s usually include:
- A small clearance section, often in a corner or beside the tills
- Occasional glass cabinets or tall cages where clearance items are displayed
The real strength of Argos is online sourcing and click and collect. You can browse deals online, see what’s in stock at specific stores, and reserve products for pickup, making your RA trips far more efficient. If you’re already sourcing at Sainsbury’s, it’s easy to line up an Argos pickup in the same visit.
Where to Find Profitable Items
Profitable items in Argos are found in two places: the clearance section inside the store, and more importantly, online via the clearance section, offer section or discount events such as red tag events.
In-store clearance can be found:
- In a corner of the Argos section
- Beside the tills
- Occasionally in a glass cabinet or tall wheeled trolleys marked with clearance stickers
Clearance stickers are printed with reduced pricing and are usually clearly marked. However, the in-store clearance sections are small and limited, so don’t expect to fill your car with deals from just that alone.
Instead, use online clearance and click and collect to scale. This allows you to reserve stock, map your route, and hit multiple stores efficiently.
Use price drop monitors in sourcing groups, and keep an eye out at midnight, as Argos often drops new deals overnight. Their red tag events are also worth watching—they’re marked online and in-store with discounts across various departments.
The most consistently profitable categories include:
- Electronics – watches, headphones, speakers, kitchen appliances, printers, smart devices
- Toys – especially in Q4, with big-name brands like Lego, Barbie, Nerf, and Hot Wheels
Argos is multi-niched, but electronics tend to perform well year-round. Toys, meanwhile, become a major play from September through December.
Best Time of Year for Argos
Argos is especially strong in Q4, and that’s when it really becomes a powerhouse.
- Toys are the standout category between September and December, with red tag events, flash discounts, and end of line clearances. It’s ideal for sourcing before Christmas.
- Electronics perform well all year round, including watches, kitchen appliances, printers, and gadgets. These products regularly go on sale and can offer great ROI if you catch them during price drops.
To stay ahead, keep an eye on:
- Overnight drops (usually at midnight)
- Red tag events, which are run both in-store and online
- Price drop and lead alert tools from sourcing groups
Argos Hacks
Here are some top tips to get the most out of Argos:
- Plan your Argos run with your Sainsbury’s trip. Since most Argos branches are now inside Sainsbury’s, you can hit both in one stop and double your chances of finding profitable stock.
- Build up your click and collect order before you leave. Don’t go in blind. Secure your products online and make your trip worthwhile.
- Use cashback apps like JamDoughnut, Cheddar, and EverUp. These work for Argos and give you instant cashback on your orders, helping you maximise margins, especially on electronics.
- Visit multiple stores. If a hot deal drops, place click and collect orders across different Argos locations to build scale and spread your pickups across your route.
Pros and Cons of Argos
Pros:
- Often situated inside Sainsbury’s, giving you a two in one sourcing opportunity
- Excellent for click and collect orders
- Fairly reseller friendly at a small to mid scale
- Easy to access and plan around
- Ability to earn cashback through supported apps
Cons:
- Not the best for traditional in store RA due to limited clearance stock
- Clearance sections are small and often picked through quickly
- Difficult to collect large quantities without drawing attention walking out the shop, especially during busy periods
- For larger scale buying, stock limits can be restrictive
Final Thoughts
Argos isn’t the best RA store on its own, but when combined with click and collect and a Sainsbury’s trip, it becomes a very effective part of your sourcing strategy. It’s particularly valuable during Q4, where toy deals are frequent and stock is relatively consistent across stores.
Use it tactically, build your orders online, use cashback, and pick up across multiple stores. You won’t always find winners inside the clearance cage, but online sourcing makes Argos a must use store for any serious RA seller. It’s a store worth keeping in your rotation all year round, and if you’re running Sainsbury’s as part of your route already, there’s no reason not to add Argos to the mix.
