Do all countries have shops like Argos?

[DrNick]

Was in there the other day thinking what a weird concept this is. I don't know it's even an English invention or imported.
But does it exist elsewhere?

I love Argos I have one at the end of my street so it's perfect for me - anything I need that you really don't need to browse for (branded goods such as requested toys for Christmas, ironing boards, replacement kettles, drills etc etc) - I can order things right now and get a text message to say they are keeping it for me and then pop in and pick them up on my way home. It's brilliant. Although I appreciate not everyone has a corner store Argos!

Kijkshop in the Netherlands is a bit of a poor relation. It's much smaller and not as cheap. It doesn't sell furniture either, just electricals, jewellery, cookware, dodgey gifts. There's no catalogue, you just chose from the display and they fetch it from the storeroom.

I've not seen anything like it in Belgium.

Although we can order stuff from Argos through Stonemanor.

Sorry, posted too soon.

Which is the local 'British' shop. You order it through them and they'll collect it from the UK and bring it back to Belgium for you.

Nothing like it in Japan, but there have always been lots of catalogue companies and now internet shopping.

I really don't see the point of Argos - if you're going to order from a catalogue, you might as well get it delivered, why bother with going to a shop as well?