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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Jun- 2020 -11 JuneComment
Retail experience will never be the same
While COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the UK’s retail sector, it should not come as a surprise to see the high street in peril. Even prior to the outbreak, retailers had endured a torrid twelve months – a poor Christmas period had led into a traditionally weaker opening…
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9 JuneCoronavirus
Debenhams to close three more stores permanently
Debenhams has confirmed three more of its stores will not reopen once lockdown restrictions are eased next week. It revealed that three of its stores located in Intu shopping centres will close permanently after it failed to agree terms with the shopping centre owner. The stores are located within Intu…
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5 JuneCoronavirus
Debenhams prepares to reopen 50 UK sites
Debenhams has announced it is preparing to reopen a 50 of its sites in England in phases from the beginning of next week. The department store announced three stores with street access will open in Northern Ireland on 8 June, including the Belfast flagship, with Debenhams’ two remaining stores in…
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May- 2020 -28 MayDepartment Stores
Mike Ashley fails to prompt financial investigation into Debenhams
Retail mogul Mike Ashley has failed to trigger an investigation into the financial affairs of embattled department store chain Debenhams, reports have claimed. According to Sky News, Ashley’s lawyers requested that a “provisional liquidator” be appointed to handle the investigation. However, judge Mark Mullen refused to make the appointment during…
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11 MayComment
From dark store to hybrid store – adapting to a new world order
It’s safe to say the embattled UK high street had a rocky start to the year, with a reported 18,248 retail jobs lost and 1,211 shops closed in the first two months of the year alone. In fact, in February, the high street saw a 7.8% drop in footfall, as…
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7 MayCoronavirus
White Stuff to cut jobs as it prepares for post-lockdown retail
Fashion retailer White Stuff is reportedly set to cut both sales and head office jobs as it prepares for like after lockdown. According to Sky News, the retailer is set to make “significant” redundancies as it anticipates a reduced demand and shorter opening hours once lockdown restrictions are lifted. It…
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7 MayDepartment Stores
Debenhams cuts over 1,000 jobs as five stores shutter permanently
Embattled department store chain Debenhams has revealed that five of its stores housed in Intu shopping centres will not reopen post-lockdown, effectively slashing over 1,000 jobs. A Debenhams spokesperson said the retailer will continue to engage in “constructive talks” with its landlords and has agreed terms on the vast majority…
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5 MayAdvice
Supermarket Peep: a glimpse at UK shopping behaviours in the now
As we sit in our make-shift offices, attempting to keep a work-life balance and ponder where we will go on our permitted once daily exercise, it’s hard to walk past the local parade of shops or high street and not wonder when or even if normality will ever be the…
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Apr- 2020 -30 AprilCoronavirus
Oasis and Warehouse stores closed ‘indefinitely’, 1,800 jobs lost
Over 1,800 employees at fashion retailers Oasis and Warehouse are set to be made redundant after administrators failed to find a new buyer for the retailers. The fashion brands have now been sold to Hilco, a restructuring firm and former owner of HMV. Whilst Hilco agreed to buy the retailer’s…
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23 AprilCoronavirus Featured Content
The role of the physical store post-lockdown
The role of the physical store post-lockdown Retailers have been hit by an escalating “perfect storm” of issues recently – digital disruption, business rates increases, a weak Christmas peak, and now the Covid-19 virus. Businesses with greater debts, low cash reserves, and reduced margins were sadly always going to struggle,…
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