Argos to close all Ireland stores
Argos will close all of its 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland in June.
The retailer said on Thursday that the decision, which is expected to affect 580 workers, was made after "a period of careful consideration".
Following a review, the company decided 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".
Argos said it will propose "an enhanced redundancy package that goes well beyond its statutory obligations".
Union Mandate, which represents retail workers in Ireland, said it was disappointed at Argos’s decision.
Mandate official, Michael Meegan, said the union will be engaging "intensively" with the company to get the best possible deal for the workers who are being made redundant.
Meegan said: "Today is a difficult one for Argos’s staff here in Ireland as they get the news that the company will be closing down here. Because Argos is shutting down its complete operation in Ireland this amounts to a collective redundancy which requires a 30-day consultation period and we know the company intends to honour that obligation to engage.
"We will be using this period to negotiate the best possible terms for those who are losing their jobs and we are expecting a constructive response from the company."