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 -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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7 SeptemberSupermarkets
Asda future could be decided this week as takeover deadline looms
The future of ‘Big Four’ grocer Asda could be decided as early as this week, as rival private equity firms reportedly finalise their bids. According to The Telegraph, bids for the grocer, which is valued at around £6.5bn, are due today (Monday 7 September) with private equity firms Apollo Global…
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1 SeptemberHigh Street
Mike Ashley warns PM of rates review delay
Retail tycoon Mike Ashley has reportedly written to prime minister Boris Johnson warning of the “disastrous consequences” if the government doesn’t conduct a review of the current business rates system. According to The Times, in a joint letter with Fraser CFO Chris Wootton, Ashley warned that without action he believes…
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Aug- 2020 -24 AugustDepartment Stores
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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