Department Stores
The latest news, updates and analysis on the department stores segment of the the UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Sep- 2025 -11 September
John Lewis H1 losses widen amid tax and budget costs
The John Lewis Partnership has fallen to a £34m loss in the first half of the year, up from a £5m loss the same period last year, attributing the widened loss to a new packaging tax and the effects of the budget. Excluding exceptional items, losses almost tripled from £33m…
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5 September
John Lewis launches its largest-ever recruitment drive
The John Lewis Partnership revealed it is set for its biggest ever seasonal recruitment campaign, as it invests in its customer service to meet anticipated demand during the ‘golden quarter’. It said some 13,700 seasonal roles are now being recruited for, including 3,000 across 35 John Lewis branches, 8,500 within…
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1 September
Primark opens first standalone UK Home store at Trafford Palazzo
Primark has opened its first standalone Home store in Great Britain at Trafford Palazzo in Manchester. The new store spans two floors and covers nearly 12,000 sq ft. It offers bedding, throws, storage and decorative items, alongside a mezzanine with travel products such as luggage, packing cubes and accessories. The…
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Aug- 2025 -27 August
Debenhams mulls PLT sale as pre-tax losses widen
Debenhams revealed it is planning to offload PrettyLittleThing (PLT) after reporting pre-tax losses of £264m for the year to 28 February 2025, up from £164m a year earlier. The group attributed the loss to a one-off exceptional item linked to strategic decisions, including the closure of its US distribution centre…
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21 August
Debenhams completes £175m refinancing deal
Debenhams Group has completed a new three-year facility providing access to funding of up to £175m, led by former owner TPG. The new facility, which extends maturity to August 2028, replaces its previous £125m revolving credit facility originally due to mature in October 2026. Executed by the new management team…
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18 August
John Lewis to add 100 new clothing brands to lineup
John Lewis is reportedly adding 100 new clothing brands to its stores in a bid to compete with Next and Marks and Spencer. According to The Telegraph, the retailer is preparing to add dozens of new menswear and womenswear clothing ranges from British brands to help boost fashion sales. New…
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4 August
Debenhams launches AI academy for employees
Debenhams Group has launched an AI skills academy, a new programme aiming to provide its employees with practical AI skills. The academy is being rolled out in partnership with workforce development platform Multiverse. It will be fully funded through the group’s £1.35m apprenticeship levy, and provide employees with “structured, on-the-job…
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1 August
Harvey Nichols unveils first phase of flagship redevelopment
Harvey Nichols is set to unveil the first stage of its transformation with the launch of a reimagined ground floor at its Knightsbridge flagship. The store said the space marks a “significant” evolution for its brand, introducing a “bold direction” that blends fine and designer jewellery with a curated lifestyle…
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Jul- 2025 -31 July
Next ups full-year guidance as Q2 sales rise 10.5%
Next has upped its full-year sales guidance after sales soared by 10.5% in its second quarter, as the group “overperformed” in both the UK and international markets. In the quarter ended 26 July 2025, full price sales were £49m ahead of its original guidance, with the group previously expecting a…
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23 July
Over 100 Al Fayed abuse victims apply for compensation
More than 100 abuse victims of Mohamed Al Fayed have entered a compensation scheme opened by Harrods earlier this year, following his alleged sexual abuse of hundreds of women. The department store confirmed it began issuing compensation to victims at the end of April, and the scheme remains open for…
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