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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Aug- 2020 -24 August
Debenhams owner calls in advisers for its own administration
The holding company of Debenhams, Celine Group Holdings, has appointed advisers to help prepare for its own administration. Celine confirmed that Philip James Watkins and Philip Lewis Armstrong of FRP Advisory have been appointed as administrators in respect of the company and its immediate parent company, Celine UK Newco 1…
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17 August
Selfridges launches sustainability initiative
Selfridges has announced the launch of a “transformational” sustainability initiative entitled Project Earth. The initiative builds upon previous steps the department store has taken to “place sustainability at the heart of the business”, and will work to change the way customers shop by 2025. The scheme will address the materials…
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11 August
Debenhams cuts 2,500 jobs
Embattled department store chain Debenhams has cut 2,500 staff roles. The retailer said that the job cuts, believed to be across both its retail and warehouse staff, have been made in order to give the company “every chance of a viable future”. A spokesperson said staff affected by redundancy have…
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4 August
John Lewis launches supplier framework
John Lewis and Partners has announced the launch of a supplier engagement programme entitled ‘Better Jobs’ to all of its 120 UK manufacturing suppliers. The programme, which followed a “successful” trial run, aims to replace traditional ethical audits and “create more rewarding and enriching jobs” for suppliers. John Lewis developed…
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Jul- 2020 -29 July
Next performance ‘better than expected’ in Q2
Next has announced that full-price sales in its second quarter fell by only 28%, welcoming the “better than expected” results against previous predictions that sales would collapse by 50%. The retailer said that warehouse capacity has come back faster than initially planned, while store sales have been “more robust” than…
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29 July
John Lewis appoints new executive director for people
John Lewis has appointed Nikki Humphrey as executive director for people. Humphrey joins from Virgin Atlantic where she held the position of chief people officer. She succeeds Tracey Killen to the position, who has retired after a 38 year career at the partnership. Effective 1 October, Humphrey will be responsible…
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28 July
Selfridges to axe 450 roles
Selfridges has outlined plans to cut 450 roles across its business, equating to a 14% reduction of its total headcount. Managing director, Anne Pitcher, warned staff of the proposed redundancies as the group predicted “significantly less” sales in the coming year. Pitcher reportedly told staff that those currently placed on…
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28 July
Harrods boss warns tourists may not return until 2022
The managing director of the iconic department store Harrods has warned that US and Asian tourists may not return until 2022 after the store revealed a significant drop in the number of visitors to the store. According to The Telegraph, Ward, speaking to investment bank Jeffiries, revealed the number of…
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27 July
Debenhams seeks potential buyer
Debenhams has confirmed that administrators are considering its sale to a third party in a bid to lead the business out of its current administration. According to The Guardian, the department store group has now appointed investment bank Lazard to oversee the sale process, and “hopes to secure a buyer…
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17 July
John Lewis extends Co-op partnership
John Lewis has announced plans to extend its click-and-collect delivery partnership with the Co-op to over 500 stores by the end of the summer. The move will see the total number of John Lewis Partnership click and collect locations increase to nearly 900, double the number of current click and…
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