Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe has confirmed that the grocery chain will turbo charge its integration of newly-acquired Argos, with every store to hosting to a concession or click-and-collect point.

This comes as Sainsbury‘s open their latest store in Battersea, London, which is the first to feature both an Argos and Habitat concession.

Following the recent £1.4 billion takeover of Home Retail Group, the parent company of Argos and furniture retailer Habitat, customers will now be able to collect items bought online at Argos or shop from its catalogue directly in every one its nationwide stores.

The integration looks to transform the grocer into a department store. In its brand new store in Battersea its fashion brand Tu has nearly 10,000 sq ft of space, alongside a Sushi Gormet Counter, an Explore Learning children‘s tuition centre and plans for a Starbucks.

RELATED: Sainsbury’s acquisition of Argos parent company now complete

Coupe told The Guardian: “We are never going to be John Lewis or go down that road but we have tried to change our look and feel so that we are less like a supermarket and more like a department store.”

With the rapid expansion of concessions in its national empire spanning nearly over 1000 stores, the grocer aims to position itself to take on the likes of Amazon, who are beginning to make significant moves into the grocery sector.

The increasing price war between the country‘s Big 4 has also caused Sainsbury‘s to reposition itself from its rivals.

RELATED: Sainsbury’s second quarter results remain solid amid escalating price wars

Argos boss John Rogers has stated that the integration of their stores, which is set to increase from 13 to 30 by Chirstmas, will create 1000 more jobs.

Coupe continues: “Over time, we envisage that there won’t be a single Sainsbury’s shop, with the exception of some very small convenience shops, where you won’t either be able to see an Argos concession or be able to click and collect and pick up your item.”

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter