ARGOS has brought 16 new jobs to Kingsteignton with the opening of a new digital store inside Homebase.

The store aims to offer customers a more speedy and convenient service when ordering online, but they still get friendly customer service when they come in to pick up their order.

Up to 20,000 products will be available for next day delivery, from technology to toys.

Argos store manager Raymond Handley said: ‘It has been an exciting first week at the store and it’s fantastic that we can bring a new shopping experience to local people.’

Homebase store manager Dave Tancock said: ‘Homebase has been part of the local community for over 25 years and we are really thrilled to welcome Argos and its team into our store.’

The new paperless store has been equipped with tables of tablets meaning customers will no longer see the iconic blue pencils that the business was famous for.

Research commissioned by Argos found that 50 per cent of shoppers surveyed believed that one of the biggest benefits of online shopping was that it offered more choice.

Argos, a member of the same retail group as homebase, believes around 44 per cent of its total sales now start online.

l Argos said this week it had no plans to close its Newton Abbot store in Queen Street.