Debenhams
This coverage examines Debenhams’ trajectory, strategies, and impact within the UK retail sector. Reporting focuses on store operations, online developments, financial performance, brand repositioning, product ranges, and executive changes. Designed for retail professionals, it offers analysis of commercial decisions, market challenges, and opportunities relevant to department store management and broader apparel and homeware retailing.
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Nov- 2020 -30 NovemberCoronavirus
Arcadia collapse could throw JD’s Debenhams takeover into doubt
A potential collapse at its largest concession holder Arcadia could reportedly throw the takeover of Debenhams by JD Sports into doubt. According to the Sunday Times, JD’s board were due to confirm whether they were going to go through with the acquisition by the end of last week (27 November)…
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27 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Arcadia ‘could collapse’ next week
Sir Phillp Green’s retail empire Arcadia is reportedly on the verge of collapse, placing around 15,000 jobs at risk. According to Sky News, the retail group, which owns Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton, could be set to appoint administrators from as early as next week. An insider told Sky that…
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24 NovemberDepartment Stores
JD Sports enters Debenhams takeover talks
JD Sports has reportedly entered into talks with advisors regarding a deal which would see the sportswear company take full control of Debenhams. According to the Telegraph, the retailer is interested in purchasing the entire department store shop estate, but is not looking to convert the outlets into JD Sport…
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16 NovemberDepartment Stores
JD Sports enters race for Debenhams
JD Sports has reportedly entered the race to acquire embattled department store Debenhams, and has been granted access to Debenhams’ finances in a secure data room. According to The Telegraph, JD Sports has emerged as a potential contender after being given access to Debenhams’ finances within the last fortnight. One…
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Oct- 2020 -26 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams bidders given midweek deadline for £300m rescue deal
Potential suitors for the embattled department store chain Debenhams have been given a midweek deadline to make a £300m rescue bid or walk away. According to the Sunday Times, bidders, which include Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, have been told to make a binding commitment by the end of Wednesday by…
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Sep- 2020 -24 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Richest man in India interested in Debenhams acquisition
India’s richest man is reportedly one of the parties interested in making a bid to acquire Debenhams, according to Sky News. Ambani is the chairman and largest shareholder in Resilience Industries, the parent company of Reliance Retail which owns British toy retailer Hamleys. A number of parties, including Next and…
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23 SeptemberSupermarkets
Lone Star drops out of Asda race
US private equity firm Lone Star has reportedly dropped out of the £6.5bn race to acquire Asda from Walmart. According to the Telegraph, Lone Star was unable to meet the asking price asked by Walmart, leaving its rival Apollo in pole position for the grocer. However, reports also suggest that…
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14 SeptemberCoronavirus
Insolvent companies cost taxpayers £250m
Insolvent companies that were unable to pay their debts in the first six months of 2020 have cost British taxpayers almost £250m, according to Altus Group. The software group found that the amount paid to former members of staff was up by £133.79m in the period against the prior year,…
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7 SeptemberNews
Frasers Group slams Debenhams gagging order
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has accused senior Debenhams’ advisors of stopping the department store being financially saved due to a gagging order that prevents it from talking to landlords. In an interview with The Times, the group’s chief financial officer Chris Wotton revealed the group was not formally in sale…
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7 SeptemberComment
Rethinking your staffing requirements to survive the recession
With a new CBI survey revealing the highest level of retail job cuts since the 2009 crisis, lockdown restrictions, a lack of consumer confidence and less spending power continues to hit Britain’s high streets hard. While some businesses have remained resilient and are now back trading under revised conditions, a…
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