Nothing is Certain Expect Death: Taxes and Agros Sale Talks Collapse

Nothing is certain except death, taxes and Argos. This saying now takes on new meaning with recent developments surrounding Argos, the UK’s well-known retailer.

Sainsbury’s had been in talks to sell Argos to the Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com. The supermarket group hoped the deal would speed up Argos’ transformation. However, just a day after confirming talks, the discussions collapsed. JD.com asked for major changes to the deal that Sainsbury’s said were not in the best interests of its shareholders or employees. 

Argos remains the UK’s second-largest general merchandise retailer. It has nearly 200 standalone stores and over 1,100 collection points inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets. The business has undergone significant changes in recent years, shifting its focus towards online sales and closing many of its high street stores. 

Sainsbury’s bought Argos for 1.1 billion euros in 2016. But the latest accounts show Agros is now valued at only 344 million euros. The company has been losing profits, and Sainsbury’s is cutting costs. This includes closing Argos’s Milton Keynes head office and two distribution centers.

Even though the sale talks failed. the news surprised the market. Sainsbury’s shares jumped nearly 5% to their highest price in more than ten years. The shares were at 275p at the start of 2025 before falling and recovering again. 

Sainsbury’s said it will keep working on its “Next Level” strategy for Argos. This means improving digital services, expaning products rages and reducing costs. The aim is to make Argos more relevant to shoppers and more competitive in the market.  

Separately, Grupo Argos, a Colombian infrastructure and cement firm unrelated to the UK retailer, announced strong financial results in 2025. The company saw net income grow by 161% and declared significant dividends for its shareholders. It is focused on infrastructure projects around the world, including the US market. 

The phrase “Nothing is certain except death and taxes” is centuries old. Benjamin Franklin famously used it in the 18th century to express that some things in life are unavoidable. Now, the phrase could jokingly include Argos, given the retailer’s persistence despite many challenges.

Argos continues to adapt as retail changes rapidly.  While death and taxes are truly certain, Agros shows how big brands try to survive and transform in a tough market. 

Although, the recent collapse of the JD.com sale talks marks another uncertain chapter for Argos under Sainsbury’s ownership. The company is cutting costs and focusing on new strategies to stay relevant. For shoppers and investors alike, it seems Argos is as certain a fixture as ever in the retail landscape. 

This news highlights the ongoing struggles and shifts in retail, where long-standing names must adapt or fade away. Argos still has influence and its next steps will be closely watched by customers and market analysts in 2025.