High street chain and catalogue shopping firm, Argos, is continuing its efforts to embrace the digital age both online and in-store, with 200 new locations set to be overhauled with technological upgrades over the coming year.

This news comes after it was announced that the Littlewoods catalogue was being discontinued in the UK after 80 years of publication. It suggests that retailers are having to migrate from traditional methods and embrace a digital future in which safe shopping online plays a significant role.

Argos saw a five per cent dip in sales from its bricks and mortar outlets in the first two months of 2015, but managed to increase profits by 15 per cent last year, thanks to its willingness to court the online crowd, offer click & collect services and embrace the digitalisation of the high street experience.

Modern consumers may find the idea of rifling through a laminated catalogue a bit old hat, which is why the 200 new Argos outlets will be equipped with tablets and displays, to help people find the items they are seeking.

Of course, people will also have the option to select and pay for a product via safe shopping online before picking it up in person at their local Argos outlet. And for that purpose, the opening of new locations will be a blessing, since it means people will not have as far to travel to harness click & collect services.

Argos may have a foundation in old fashioned catalogue retail, but while other big names have left the high street in recent years, it has managed to endure because it has adapted to the digitalisation of the industry. And for customers, there is a much greater degree of choice available to them when the time comes to buy.