Argos and eBay link up in 'click and collect' trial

Ebay customers will be able to collect their purchases from Argos stores in one of the biggest-ever link-ups between an online and high street retailer.

The new "click and collect" trial will be rolled out across 150 of Argos's most-successful stores, although exact locations have yet to be decided.

Businesses that sell through the eBay website, including Superdry, will be involved in the scheme and, if successful, it is hoped it could be rolled out across the country.

With increasing numbers of customers keen to use "click and collect" services, eBay is hoping to challenge its bigger rival Amazon's dominance, especially since the latter has been at odds with some sellers after raising its fees.

However, orders through the new eBay service will take at least one day to process, unlike Argos products, which can be collected in a matter of minutes following an online order.

Amazon customers have responded positively to the company's provision of lockers at key locations across the capital, including rail stations and near busy offices, where orders can be collected, avoiding the need to wait in for deliveries or pick them up at sorting offices.