Argos hailed a key milestone in its 40-year history as it threw open the doors to a trial store where tablet computers will replace the retailer's trademark laminated catalogues.
Customers will be able to browse, check product reviews and order via in-store iPads at six "digital concept" shops, with a 60-second fast-track collection service for those pre-ordering online or on mobile devices.
Tables of tablet computers will take the place of its traditional catalogues, pencils and paper slips across the trial outlets, although Argos assured customers it would not axe its catalogues altogether, and would still make them available on customer service desks for those "more comfortable using them for shopping".
The first of the concept stores opened at Old Street in London, with three further sites planned in Marble Arch, Old Kent Road and Chancery Lane, as well as stores in Colchester and Dunfermline.
It comes as the Home Retail Group-owned chain plans to transform itself into a digital-led retailer.
The firm said it already makes more than 40% of sales online, while revenues from smartphone and tablet orders are also increasing at a rapid pace and now account for 16% of total sales.
It recently posted a more than doubling in operating profits to £7.7million in the six months to August 31, up from £3.3m a year earlier, thanks in part to early progress on its overhaul.
Argos insisted its store estate will remain at the heart of its business, with around 90% of all sales still involving a shop.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article