Sainsbury's will get cash proceeds of at least £120 million from the sale, with a £70 million up-front payment when the deal completes, which is expected in February next year.

The deal will see Argos stores and collection points sold to Swift Partners, a new company which has been set up for this acquisition

Sainsbury’s has said it will sell long-struggling catalogue retailer Argos to a private equity-backed consortium in a £120m deal.